May 27 2008
Gum disease might hint cancer risk
May 27: A study conducted by the researchers at the Imperial College London has tried to reveal the link between gum disease and cancer risk. As part of the study the research team considered the health record of 50,000 men and opined that the immune system weakness might be the reason for both illnesses. The British Dental Association also stressed the need for regular check-ups.
Most of the Britons are found to suffer from some kind of gum problem caused by bacterial attack and this problem is more prevalent among smokers. The new research has revealed that even among non-smokers the gum disease could be considered as the bigger risk of cancer.
The research team was led by Dr Dominique Michaud who led the research opined that, “The long lasting gum disease might be the clear indication of weakening immune system and that makes the person vulnerable to both periodontal disease and hematological cancers. The bacteria from the gum might have the ability to cause cancer in the tissues of mouth or throat when swallowed.”
He further added that, “Only more researches on this topic will bring a clear picture about the real depth of the issue. Now it is premature for the patients with periodontal diseases to check for cancer symptoms it is advisable to consult a dentist for this purpose.”
While commenting on this a spokesman of the British Dental Association said: “Dentists were trained to spot cancer in the mouth they were becoming more aware about the impact of gum health in determining overall health of a person. They are capable of referring patients when they come across serious gum disease in otherwise healthy patients.”
This research has far-reaching significance as it hints about the possibility of gum disease to develop into cancer threat.
