Spitting can be good luck for cancer patients

Published on Wednesday 30 June 2010 16:57

SPITTING could save lives, according to a major cancer charity.

Providing a saliva sample is the new, easy way to join the bone marrow register operated by the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The UK charity said its donor register is the first in the world to use the "revolutionary" new system, which it hopes will double the number of leukaemia patients' lives saved every day.

Previously, would-be donors were asked to give blood samples to establish their tissue type, which meant visiting a doctor or attending a recruitment event in their area.

But the saliva kits launched yesterday can be sent by post to those who want to join the register.

All potential donors need to do is complete a medical questionnaire, spit into a tube and return the sample, the charity said.

Chief executive Henny Braund said: "We're really excited about the switch to saliva testing. Ultimately, this is about saving more lives.

"Anthony Nolan provides two potentially lifesaving transplants every day, but there is an equal number that we can't currently help. We urgently need to increase the number of people on our register and saliva testing will help us do that much more quickly and effectively."