A Hidden Pattern in Your Saliva Can Predict Risk of Colorectal Cancer, Study Finds
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Researchers have discovered that analyzing microbes in saliva may help identify individuals at risk for colorectal cancer, according to a new study published in Cell Host & Microbe. Scientists at Yonsei University examined oral and fecal samples from over 500 participants, including those with stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, metabolic disorders, and healthy individuals. The team sequenced microbial genes to measure how extensively oral bacteria migrated to the gut, creating what they termed the mouth-to-feces index.
The findings revealed a significant distinction: cancer patients showed substantially higher levels of oral microbes in their digestive tract compared to healthy controls and those with metabolic conditions like diabetes. Notably, oral samples alone demonstrated greater accuracy in detecting colorectal cancer than the fecal occult blood test, a standard screening tool that frequently produces false positives and negatives. This non-invasive approach could offer a more comfortable alternative to existing diagnostic methods.
While the results show promise, researchers acknowledge critical questions remain unanswered. Scientists have not yet determined whether migrating mouth bacteria contribute to cancer development or if existing cancer facilitates microbial migration. Additional investigation is necessary to confirm causality, enhance test sensitivity, and evaluate effectiveness in asymptomatic patients before oral testing could be implemented in clinical settings.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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