Health
Warning: Gum Bacteria May Trigger Head and Neck Cancer
United States: Researchers’ new findings have revealed that bacteria that lead to gum diseases can increase the incidence of head and neck cancers in individuals.
More about the news
Scientists have identified over a dozen bacteria that are associated with a 50 percent raised risk of head and neck cancer.
According to Dr. Richard Hayes, the co-senior author and a professor of population health at NYU School of Medicine in New York City, “Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral hygiene habits,” the US News reported.
“Brushing your teeth and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease but also may protect against head and neck cancer,” Hayes added.
The study findings were published in the journal JAMA Oncology on September 26.
Warning: Gum Bacteria May Trigger Head and Neck Cancer. Credit | Freepik
About these microbes
Researchers have observed that such microbes have been shown to cause dangerous gum diseases that can even progress to the destruction of jaws and the surrounding tissues that hold teeth.
To conduct the study, the investigators utilized information from three current cohort investigations that enrolled nearly 160,000 Americans from various parts of the country, all investigating various possibilities of risk factors for cancer.
All participants gave saliva samples that identified the quantity and species of bacteria in each individual’s oral cavity.
As part of the research, participants were provided saliva samples that showed the number and types of bacteria living in their mouths.
More about the study
In this study, the people were followed for a period of 10 to 15 years to document the emergence of any cancer. Of that, 236 patients were diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
New research found that a specific subtype of a bacterium commonly found in the mouth was also present in 50% of colorectal cancer tumors that were studied. This study highlights the importance of protecting oral health for whole-body health. https://t.co/WPtgtzrQy5
— Dr. William Li (@drwilliamli) September 25, 2024
Roughly the same number of samples were taken from head and neck cancer patients and another 458 patients who did not have cancer.
In combination, the 13 bacterial species were established to either increase or decrease the overall abundance of head and neck cancer by an increased risk of 30 percent, as results suggest.
The latter raised the overall risk by 50% when added to five other bacterial species commonly associated with gum disease, the researchers said.
According to the lead researcher, Soyoung Kwak, a postdoctoral fellow with the NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health, “Our findings offer new insight into the relationship between the oral microbiome and head and neck cancers,” the US News reported.
“These bacteria may serve as biomarkers for experts to flag those at high risk,” Kwak added.
Surprisingly, the study could not establish that those with naturally occurring fungi in the mouth had a higher risk of developing cancer, scientists pointed out.