New Test For Detecting Breast Cancer

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Dentists May Soon Use Saliva To Make Early, Non-Invasive Diagnoses For Breast Cancers

The onset of breast cancer produces a change in the normal type and amount of proteins in glandular secretions from the salivary glands. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston know what to look for and published their study findings last month (January 2008) in "Cancer Investigation."

The ultimate goal is to bring a diagnostic saliva test, which is capable of detecting cancer before a tumor forms, into dental offices or other health care facilities. The technology aims to enable health care providers to provide quick, accurate diagnostic information and physician referrals to their patients.

“Why not the dentist?” asked Dr. Charles Streckfus, a lead researcher of the study. “Most folks, especially women and children, visit the dental office way more often than they ever see the physician. Saliva is a non-invasive, quicker way for detection.”

In the study, researchers analyzed saliva samples from 30 patients. They found 49 proteins that differentiated healthy patients from those with benign breast tumors and those with malignant breast tumors.

Dr. Streckfus and his collaborators are continuing to pursue salivary diagnostics for other types of cancer, such as ovarian, endometrial, cervical and head and neck cancers.

Dental Health
Breast Cancer

How To Tell A Good Dentist From A Bad One

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Have you ever had to find a new dentist on your own or been asked by a someone if you... "Know of any good dentists around here"? Chances are, you probably know, few if any dentists in your area, let alone the good ones.

Well, now there's some help from Consumers Research by way of eight ways you can judge the good dentists from the bad ones. More importantly, you'll feel confident when recommending -or not recommending in some circumstances- the dentists to someone who asks you.

Consumers Research offers these questions for judging a dentist's skills after you have received treatment:

1. How does your bite feel?
2. Is any of the dental work irritating your gum?
3. Does the treated tooth look like a tooth?
4. Does dental floss or your tongue catch on the tooth?
5. Did the dentist take time to polish your fillings?
6. Do you feel pain when drinking hot or cold liquids?
7. Was any debris left in your mouth after treatment?
8. Does the dentist use a water spray to cool your teeth while drilling?

Now, if they can only come up with a way to judge a dentist's skills before you receive treatment!

Dentists
Dental+Health
Consumers Research