At-home saliva test improves prostate cancer risk diagnosis

A new at-home saliva test may offer a better way to identify men at high risk for prostate cancer. This test could be more accurate than the current blood test, known as the PSA test, which often requires several follow-ups for a diagnosis. Prostate cancer is now the second most common cancer among men, and rates are rising, even among young men. The new saliva test examines DNA for genetic changes linked to the disease, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. Unlike the PSA test, which only indicates issues in the prostate, saliva tests can better determine a person's cancer risk. Trials suggest that men identified as high-risk by the saliva test are more likely to have prostate cancer than those with elevated PSA levels. Experts like Naser Turabi from Cancer Research UK highlight the need for reliable detection methods for aggressive prostate cancer. They believe this saliva test could lead to more targeted screenings and avoid unnecessary treatments for low-risk patients. Currently, prostate cancer affects about 13 out of every 100 men in their lifetime. While most will live normal lives, about 2% will die from the disease each year. Early-stage prostate cancer often shows few symptoms, but some signs to watch for include frequent urination, weak urine flow, pain during urination or ejaculation, and lower back or hip pain.