Saliva, Blood and Genetics: A New Era for Breast Cancer Screening
As early as 2026, samples of saliva and blood could improve the assessment of breast cancer risk, enabling personalized clinical care.
“This is truly a major shift in practice. It's something that's very exciting and encouraging,” says Mathias Cavaillé, clinical physician and researcher at the CHU de Québec - Université Laval Research Centre.
Cavaillé is leading a research project to introduce the polygenic risk score as a new tool for clinical staff. When combined with non-genetic factors such as age, breast density, body mass index, and lifestyle, this score will allow for a more precise risk evaluation.
Advancing Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
- Integration of genetic data with traditional risk factors
- Use of saliva and blood samples for non-invasive testing
- Personalized approaches to screening and prevention
This approach aims to improve early detection and tailor preventive measures more effectively than current methods.
Author's summary: Combining saliva and blood samples with genetic and lifestyle data promises a breakthrough in personalized breast cancer risk assessment by 2026.