March 22, 2007 - Not everyone loves the dentist, but most people honor the twice-annual appointment to maintain their pearly whites. Now, a new study shows those trips to the dentist might reveal more than cavities.

A study to be published in the March/April 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) clinical journal, finds your dentist could play an important role in breast cancer detection.

Currently the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends clinical breast exams about every 3 years for women over 20, and a yearly mammogram along with the clinical breast exam for women over 40. In 2006 alone, the ACS estimated 212,920 new cases of breast cancer in women.

With the new test, a general dentist could collect a quick spit sample in a tube between flossing and polishing and send a sample off to the lab – intervening in the critical early stages of this disease that is the second leading cause of death among women in the U.S.

A study released on Wednesday in the journal offers an auspicious review of salivary diagnosis — a form of testing that uses samples of saliva instead of blood. The analysis looked at four specific proteins found in saliva in high enough levels to be tested. These proteins are just some of the markers identified for breast cancer tumors.

Currently, almost all tests for tumor markers in most cancers are conducted with blood, urine, or actual tissue samples. According to AGD Spokesman, Dr. Charles H. Perle, DMD, FAGD, a simple saliva test could be widely used as an inexpensive, and non-invasive solution to early detection.

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