Canadian researchers are analyzing saliva to learn more about the risk factors linked to breast cancer, especially those that might affect adolescents.

Behavioral endocrinologist Katherine Wynne-Edwards at Queen's University in Kingston will measure the levels of four hormones in the saliva of female teens in what could develop into long-term research tracking women as they age.

A total of 94 girls attending a private school in Ottawa will participate in the study and will have their saliva collected every school day for six weeks. The saliva will be stored in test tubes, frozen and sent to Queen's University for analysis.

Saliva samples will be tested for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Researchers will measure how levels of these hormones fluctuate over a period of six weeks, how much the highs and lows vary between girls, and what their cumulative exposure is over time. The girls will answer questions about their diets, physical activity levels and breast development and their body fat percentages will be measured.

Researchers speculate that the preteen and teenage years, when girls' breasts are developing, may be important in terms of breast cancer prevention.

Other sources: Globe and Mail