THE Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) has reservations about a saliva test that screens for prostate cancer, warning it still has a long way to go before it can be put in use.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and widely reported in media evaluated a new at-home saliva test that assesses 130 genetic mutations in men's DNA to provide a personalised risk score for prostate cancer.
The test is designed to identify men at high risk of developing prostate cancer, not to diagnose the disease itself, and men with high-risk scores will likely undergo further testing, such as PSA testing, MRI scans and biopsies.
While the results showed promise, and the test may be useful for men who might not otherwise undergo prostate cancer screening, USANZ has urged caution.
"It is very early days with further evidence needed on the saliva test before it can be compared with current screening methods of a PSA blood test and MRI for prostate cancer, which focus on detecting aggressive disease," said Associate Professor Weranja Ranasinghe of USANZ.
He also raised privacy concerns in giving your DNA to commercial companies.
"There is no direct evidence the saliva test improves survival or quality of life, so more research is needed, which will take years," said A/Prof Ranasinghe.
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