The NHS is conducting a groundbreaking trial of a home-based spit test designed to assess prostate cancer risk, with a strong focus on addressing disparities affecting Black men, who face double the risk of prostate cancer compared to other groups.

Developed by the Institute of Cancer Research, the test works by analysing DNA from saliva, identifying genetic markers linked to high prostate cancer risk. Previously, the saliva test in 2016 was limited to white people of European ancestry due to genetic data constraints. There was not enough genetic data on Asian and Black men to be able to accurately analyse the DNA from saliva for these groups. Recent advances in research mean that the genetic data is now available, allowing broader application of the saliva test across diverse backgrounds.

The Independent heard from Dr Elizabeth Bancroft, nurse consultant in oncogenetics research at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

This at-home test aims to facilitate early detection by flagging high-risk individuals for further screening, potentially increasing survival rates and reducing NHS treatment costs by catching the disease earlier. Researchers hope that by including this more inclusive approach, they can mitigate historical inequities in healthcare access and outcomes for minority communities.

Read the full article - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prostate-cancer-spit-test-black-men-b2630803.html

GFCT info on PSA Testing - https://tgfct.org.uk/Testing-and-Treatments/PSA-Testing