Saliva swab can diagnose cancer, say scientists

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Low levels of certain chemicals in saliva indicate the presence of cancer, according to researchers from the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry. 
A saliva swab could eventually replace the biopsy as a diagnostic measure, but experts have warned that more research is necessary before we could hail the discovery as the “holy grail”.
Clinical Cancer Research published the findings, which show that two microRNAs – by-products of a protein-producing process – are linked to oral cancer. 
Low levels of mir-125a and mir-200a indicate that the patient has cancer. 
The researchers studied 50 patients with oral squamose cell carcinoma and a control group of 50 healthy patients. 
Around 1,850 people die from oral cancer each year in Britain. Rates of oral cancer have increased by 25% since the 1980s.
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