Scientists are developing “flavoured lollipops” that may be able to determine whether someone has mouth cancer without using painful and invasive methods. Researchers say that their lollipop could be a quicker and kinder alternative that could be used in primary care settings, like GP surgeries. The lollipop is made using a material known as smart hydrogel, which was developed by scientists at the University of Birmingham. The idea is that patients suck on the lollipop, transferring a saliva sample into the hydrogel. The researchers said that the hydrogel acts like a fishing net by “catching” proteins – along with salvia – that could be biomarkers of cancer.