UK Scientists Develop Saliva DNA Test That Could Revolutionize Prostate Cancer Detection

LONDON — April 9, 2025 | Naija247news — A groundbreaking saliva-based DNA test could soon transform how prostate cancer is detected and treated, offering new hope in the battle against one of the UK’s deadliest cancers.

British scientists say the test, which identifies genetic mutations associated with high prostate cancer risk, could pave the way for a more targeted screening strategy, potentially detecting aggressive cancers that traditional tests often miss.

Prostate cancer remains a major killer in the UK, claiming over 12,000 lives annually. Calls for routine screening have grown louder in the wake of emotional revelations, including that of Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, who recently disclosed he is battling terminal prostate cancer.

How It Works: DNA Clues Hidden in Spit
Unlike the commonly used PSA blood test—long criticized for its false positives and risks of overtreatment—this new test does not search for cancer directly. Instead, it scans 130 known mutations in a man’s genetic code, helping determine who is naturally at higher risk.

The study, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, involved men aged 55 to 69. Those scoring in the top 10% risk bracket were invited for further diagnostic checks, including MRI scans and biopsies.

The results were eye-opening:

745 high-risk men invited for tests
468 participated
187 were diagnosed with prostate cancer
103 of those cases were aggressive tumours requiring urgent treatment
74 of those cancers would not have been detected with current screening tools
“We May Be Turning the Tide” – UK Researchers
Prof. Ros Eeles, a leading geneticist at the Institute of Cancer Research in London and co-lead of the study, described the findings as a potential breakthrough:

“We can now find men with aggressive prostate cancers early—men who would otherwise go undetected—and spare low-risk men from unnecessary medical procedures.”
Family Saved: From Random Test to Life-Changing Diagnosis
One of the study’s participants, Dheeresh Turnbull, 71, from Brighton, shared how the trial may have saved not just his life but also his brother’s.

“I was completely shocked. I had no symptoms, no family history. I would never have known I had cancer at this stage,” he said.
Following his diagnosis, his younger brother was tested and was also found to have an aggressive tumour.

“It’s incredible to think that because of this trial, two lives were saved in my family,” Turnbull added.
Caution From Experts: “Promising, But Not Yet a Game Changer”
Despite the enthusiasm, experts have urged caution. Prof. Dusko Ilic of King’s College London praised the test as “promising” but warned its real-world benefits remain unproven.

“It improves detection modestly, but we still need to see evidence that it increases survival or enhances quality of life.”
The study also focused largely on people of European ancestry, leaving gaps in data for other ethnicities. Notably, Black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer—yet often go under-tested.

“Years Away” from NHS Rollout, Say Researchers
Cost-effectiveness, timing, and practical deployment remain open questions. However, the saliva test is now being incorporated into the Transform trial, the UK’s most ambitious prostate cancer screening study.

Prof. Michael Inouye of the University of Cambridge hailed the work as “a landmark moment”, but warned:

“It is a big step forward—but full implementation within the NHS is still years away.”
What It Means for Nigeria and Africa
With prostate cancer becoming increasingly prevalent across Africa, experts say early detection remains the best defence. Yet, routine screening remains elusive for most Nigerian men due to lack of awareness, stigma, and limited access to diagnostics.

Medical professionals across Nigeria are watching closely, with hopes that affordable DNA-based tools could one day be integrated into public health efforts—especially for high-risk populations.

As research advances, many believe the future of cancer detection lies in genetics, and this saliva test could one day serve as a model not just in the UK, but globally.