10 minute home tests for Cancer

Scientists are currently developing a 10minute cancer test which may be taken from your home using just a single drop of saliva. The technology behind the “Liquid Biopsy” dissects saliva looking for tiny fragments within the genetic material. 

 

Research conducted by the  Oncology faculty at the California State University led by Professor David Wong,  say that it is now possible to identify tumour DNA circulating in bodily fluids, a process known as a “Liquid Biopsy”. 

Such a test is 100 percent accurate and may be taken at a nearby pharmacy, dentist or perhaps your very own home should you be concerned says Professor Wong. 

 

At the moment, only blood tests are able to identify cancer after scientists conduct a biopsy and sequenced a tumour so that they may distinguish a specific genetic characteristic to look out for. This type cannot be used as an initial test, and is commonly used to monitor the spread of cancer. It is also likely to give false “positive” results. 

 

With just a single drop of saliva, Prof Wong’s test proves that there is enough DNA to provide a definitive diagnosis as soon as a tumour develops, he says. 

At just 15 pounds, roughly R340, the test is fairly affordable and painless. 

 

The “Liquid Biopsy” has been scheduled to enter full clinical trials in lung cancer patients towards the later part of 2016 and is expected to receive an approval from the Food and Drug Administration within the next 2 years. Prof Wong has hopes that the test will be available in Britain by 2020 and has faith that it could be useful for oral cancer and many other types.

 

“If there is circulating signature of a tumour in a person blood or saliva, this test will find it,” Professor Wong told the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Washington.

 

“We need less than one drop of saliva and we can turn the test around in 10 minutes. It can be done in a doctor’s office while you wait.

 

“Early detection is crucial. Any time you gain in finding out that someone has a life-threatening cancer, the sooner the better.

 

“With this capability, it can be implemented by the patient themselves in a home check, or dentist or pharmacy.”

 

The test looks for genetic mutations in blood plasma which are consistent with a tumour.

 

“I would love to do it in the U.K…..by the end of this decade. I would hope sooner than that,” he added.

 

“Down the road it might be possible to test for multiple cancers at the same time.

“The advantages of our technology is that it is non-invasive. If you have a credible early screening risk assessment technology that people can use on their own or at dentists’ office or pharmacists - that’s the key, early detection.”

 

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