Spit Happens – How DNA Saliva Testing Works.

Published on

26/07/2024

At Randox Health, we’re always seeking new ways to make your health tests as easy as possible. Life is busy. We get it. With family time, work commitments, or sports, it’s easy for the hustle and bustle of life to take centre stage, and for your health to become an afterthought. We’re dedicated to building a healthier future for everyone, including those of us who are too tied up to make it to one of our clinics. This is why we’ve introduced at-home testing of our most popular genetic testing packages through a dna saliva test kit – to offer expert analysis, travel-free.

Traditionally, when you think of health testing, you think of a blood draw. But we’ve been thinking, spit happens, why not make the most of it! Our new at-home genetic tests require only a saliva sample. Instead of pricking your finger, all you need to do is spit into a sample tube, and we’ll take care of the rest.

But which tests are included?

Same Old Spit.


Genetic testing can be intimidating, especially when it comes to cancer. However, early detection of risk can significantly improve outcomes for individuals. We understand that a lot of people are uneasy about having their blood drawn – no one enjoys being poked with a needle. That’s why we’ve made our genetic testing services more comfortable by replacing traditional blood tests with simple saliva samples for our at-home genetic test kits.

Every cell in your body contains a copy of your DNA, including those in your saliva. In fact, we produce up to 1.5 litres of saliva every day1, so there’s plenty to go around! Research shows that saliva sampling provides enough DNA for thorough genetic analysis. It’s been shown to be an effective alternative to blood tests for detecting various types of cancer, including breast2 and prostate cancer3.

Trusted Testing, Zero Trips

For over 40 years, Randox has been a reputable player in the medical devices industry. More recently, we’ve become the trusted testing partner of Team GB ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024.

We want to make sure you have access to all our reliable services, and what better way to do this than help you get your health checks from the comfort of your own home? We’ve developed our at-home test kits to be as simple as possible.

After you’ve ordered your test, we’ll pop your kit in the post. Once you receive your kit, follow the instructions provided to take your sample, and once you’re done, just send it back to us using the prepaid postage label. It’s important that you send your sample to us the same day you collect it.

It takes us up to 6 weeks from when our laboratory gets your sample to complete your analysis. But once we’re done, you’ll be able to login to your account and view your results. As with all our genetic cancer risk tests, you’ll have the opportunity to book a pre-consultation with one of our genetic councillors, to make sure you get the right test for you, and a consultation after you’ve got your report, to discuss your results and what they mean for you

What is Genetic Testing?

Genetic health testing analyses your DNA to identify variants or mutations that may increase your risk for certain conditions. This can help diagnose diseases, estimate your risk if you have a family history, or identify if you carry a genetic variant associated with a genetic condition.

Knowing your genetic risks can encourage positive lifestyle changes and help doctors choose the best treatment options for you. On the flip side, if your test returns a low-risk result, it can ease your mind and reduce stress, especially if you have a family history of a genetic condition.

However, keep in mind that a low-risk doesn’t mean you won’t develop the disorder, and a high-risk result doesn’t mean you definitely will. It’s important to discuss your results with a trained professional, like a Randox Health genetic counsellor, who can help you understand what they mean for your health.

Learn more about genetic testing as a whole and how it works in our Unzip Your Genes blog or to find out specifically about genetic inheritance and the disorders that can follow, check out our Genetic Inheritance & Disorders article both listed below.

Find Your DNA Test Kit.

With our at-home genetic test kits, comprehensive health insights are just a spit away. Get started now and experience the convenience of testing from home. Join the thousands of people who trust Randox Health to help them take their first steps to a healthier future.

References

  1. Iorgulescu G. Saliva between normal and pathological. Important factors in determining systemic and oral health. J Med Life. 2009;2(3):303-307.
  2. Poehls UG, Hack CC, Ekici AB, et al. Saliva samples as a source of DNA for high throughput genotyping: an acceptable and sufficient means in improvement of risk estimation throughout mammographic diagnostics. Eur J Med Res. 2018;23(1):20. doi:10.1186/s40001-018-0318-9
  3. The Institute of Cancer Research. ASCO 2024: Prostate cancer spit test better for men with high genetic risk than standard blood test. https://www.icr.ac.uk/news-archive/asco-2024-prostate-cancer-spit-test-better-for-men-with-high-genetic-risk-than-standard-blood-test.