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How to Provide a Saliva Sample

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How to Provide a Saliva Sample

Thank you for participating in our research study! Before you can provide your saliva for our research study, you’ll need to enroll at bcstudy.rugcc.org, follow the first steps, then request a saliva collection kit to be mailed to your home. Next, it’s time to provide your saliva sample, and here we provide everything you need to know to do it successfully! Quick start instructions are here: https://mykit.rugcc.org/ and in this short video:  Sample collection instructions for the Oragene™•Dx device More detailed instructions and tips are below.

Plan Ahead

Before you open your kit, please plan to collect your sample at a time when you can mail it within 24 hours. The sooner we receive your sample, the better preserved it will be for research.

Get Ready to Spit

Your saliva kit includes a collection tube with a funnel-shaped lid. Inside the lid is a special liquid that helps preserve your DNA once the sample is collected. Find the dark black FILL LINE marked on the middle of the tube. The saliva collection area in the tube extends just ¼ inch below the fill line, and the needed volume less than it looks — just one teaspoon.

Make Sure Your Mouth is Clean (But Not Too Fresh!)

For 30 minutes before you spit, nothing should go into your mouth.  Why is this important? Anything you put in your mouth can introduce other DNA or substances that may affect the sample.

That means:

🚫 No food or drink – not even water or medications
🚫 No brushing teeth, mouthwash, gum, or cough drops
🚫 No smoking, vaping, or kissing (even pets!)
🚫 No breath mints or chewing on anything

✅ What is allowed:

  • Lip balm or lipstick
  • You may participate if you are pregnant or mildly ill, unless you have an upper respiratory infection, in which case we ask you to wait until your symptoms have passed.

Spit in the Tube

Once 30 minutes have passed with nothing in your mouth, you’re ready to begin providing your saliva!

  • You may want to watch this short video:
  • Collect some saliva in your mouth before you begin spitting. Some people can collect enough saliva to fill the tube with just one spit. For others, it can take multiple spits.
  • Spit into the funnel on top of the tube.
  • Don’t worry—you don’t need to do it all in one go! Spit, wait, and spit again until your saliva reaches the black FILL LINE on the tube.
  • Bubbles don’t count! Make sure the liquid part of your saliva (not just the bubbles) reaches the line.
  • If you’re having trouble producing saliva, try:
    • Gently rubbing your cheeks
    • Lightly chewing the inside of your cheeks
    • Thinking about your favorite food
  • Try to complete your saliva collection within 30 minutes from when you begin

Seal the Sample

  • Once your saliva reaches the black line:
  • Close the funnel lid firmly until you hear a click or snap. This releases the stabilizing liquid from the lid into the tube.
  • Make sure all of the liquid from the lid has drained into the tube.
  • Unscrew the funnel lid and throw it away.
  • Tightly screw on the small round cap that came with the kit to seal the tube.
  • Gently shake the tube to mix your saliva with the stabilizing liquid.
  • If a little of the stabilizing liquid spills onto the tube or your hands, simply wipe off, it won’t hurt you.

Pack It Up and Send It Off

You’re almost done! Place your sealed tube into the small plastic bag provided, then put that bag back into the original cardboard box your kit came in. You can recycle the plastic clamshell box.

Thank You for Helping Fight Breast Cancer
Your sample is incredibly valuable and helps researchers better understand how to prevent and treat breast cancer. Thank you for taking the time to contribute. Your effort today brings us one step closer to life-saving discoveries.