That's the suggestion following a study that adds to the evidence for a link between increased risk of cancer in individuals with advanced gum disease.
That's according to a new collaborative study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Tufts University School of Medicine and Cancer Center.
Previous research has shown a link between periodontitis and increased cancer risk, although the exact mechanism connecting the two diseases is still uncertain.
In the new study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the research team used data from comprehensive dental exams performed on 7,466 participants as part of their participation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, then followed the participants from the late 1990s until 2012. They found a 24% increase in the relative risk of developing cancer among participants with severe periodontitis, compared to those with mild to no periodontitis. The highest risk was observed in cases of lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Dental Nursing and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Up to 2 free articles per month
-
New content available
Already have an account? Sign in here