Gum disease and pancreatic cancer may be associated with one another, according to the British Dental Health Foundation.
Published in the journal Gut, the study found that certain
types of bacterium present in the formation of gum disease is linked to a 2
times higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, oral
bacteria that is not harmful resulted in a 45% decreased risk of pancreatic
cancer.
A 2007 study, conducted by the same researchers, found that
men with a history of periodontal disease had a 64% increased risk of
pancreatic cancer than men who did not.
The experts say they cannot yet prove that gum disease
increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, but they say that the new research is
evidence that there is a significant association between the two.
Earlier studies have said there is a correlation between the
two diseases. However, it is not clear whether certain bacteria found in gum
disease are a cause or a result from pancreatic cancer.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which depend on the
size, tissue type, and location of the tumor may include:
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Jaundice
(yellowish coloring of eyes and skin)
Upper abdomen pain
Trousseau sign - a
medical sign present in certain cancers
Clinical
depression
Diabetes mellitus
Dominique Michaud, a Brown University epidemiologist, said:
"This is not an established risk factor. But I feel more confident that
something is going on. It's something we need to understand better."
Co-lead author of the study, Jacques Izard from the Forsyth
Institute and Harvard University agreed with Michaud. He explained, "We
need to further investigate the importance of bacteria in pancreatic cancer
beyond the associated risk."
The study found that pancreatic cancer was responsible for
7,901 deaths out of 20,104, and in England, a mere 4% of pancreatic cancer
patients lived for more than 5 years.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr
Nigel Carter OBE, said that if there is even the slightest evidence of an
association between pancreatic cancer and gum disease, this should be enough to
remind people of how critical good oral health is.
He said: "This
research provides further ammunition to the growing belief these two disease
could be related.
There is no
escaping the fact that poor oral health has some role to play, as a number of
studies are now starting to show. What we must remember is oral health is
relatively simple to maintain. The Foundation's three key messages- brushing
your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, cutting
down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist
regularly, as often as they recommend- are a great starting point for
maintaining good oral health.
If you have
swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or
regular mouth infections appear, it is likely you have gum disease. If any of
these symptoms persist, your dentist may be able to help you."
Article published on medicalnewstoday.com on October 2, 2012. See original article here.
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