A groundbreaking study suggests that a portable spit test, priced at just $5 (£3.97), could revolutionize breast cancer detection by analyzing a single drop of saliva. Researchers in Florida and Taiwan have developed a palm-sized handheld device capable of detecting cancer biomarkers, including genes and proteins, within five seconds.
The innovative sensor utilizes common components, similar to glucose tests used by diabetics to measure blood sugar, coupled with inexpensive open-source hardware. This cost-effective technology is positioned as a potential alternative to invasive procedures such as mammograms and ultrasounds for breast cancer detection, addressing the rising prevalence of the disease in the US and UK.
Hsiao-Hsuan Wan, a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida and study author, highlighted the device’s portability and reusability, envisioning medical staff conducting breast cancer screenings efficiently in communities or hospitals.
In experiments, researchers employed paper glucose test strips infused with antibody solutions targeting cancer-related proteins HER2 and CA 15-3, prevalent in breast cancer patients. The team successfully differentiated between patients with breast cancer and those without using saliva samples, delivering results in about five seconds.
While this revolutionary method holds immense promise, it may take several years to be available to patients as it undergoes regulatory approval processes, including evaluations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Breast cancer, the most common cancer globally, necessitates early detection, and this affordable and efficient spit test could be a transformative tool in global public health practices. The researchers aim to address the urgent need for innovative detection methods, potentially reshaping breast cancer diagnosis worldwide.
