At-home saliva test for prostate cancer better than blood test?

Written by David Fletcher 11 Apr 2025
At-home saliva test for prostate cancer better than blood test?

A new at-home saliva test assessing genetic risk has shown greater accuracy than the current PSA blood test in detecting prostate cancer, according to a major UK study. The spit test, which evaluates 130 genetic variants to calculate a polygenic risk score (PRS), was found to be more effective at identifying aggressive prostate cancers than traditional PSA testing. Led by Prof Ros Eeles at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, the study demonstrated that 40% of high-risk men flagged by the test were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 25% diagnosed through PSA testing. Moreover, the saliva test detected a higher proportion of aggressive cancers. This non-invasive, inexpensive tool could improve early diagnosis and reduce unnecessary treatments linked to false positives from PSA tests. Researchers are also developing updated versions of the test tailored for men of Asian and African heritage. While further research is needed to confirm long-term outcomes, experts hope the PRS test could soon revolutionise screening for men most at risk, offering better protection and peace of mind.

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