Increased Oral Bacteria Linked to Higher Pancreatic Cancer Risk
Recent research from NYU Langone Health and the Perlmutter Cancer Center reveals an alarming connection between specific bacteria and fungi in the mouth and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. According to a study published in JAMA Oncology, individuals with certain oral microbes may have more than three times the risk of developing this deadly disease.
Pancreatic cancer is often lethal, with the American Cancer Society estimating that 67,440 Americans will be diagnosed in 2025, and about 51,980 are expected to succumb to it.
Dr. Jiyoung Ahn, a co-senior author of the study and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the urgency of finding modifiable risk factors for this type of cancer, given the limited availability of early screening tests and treatment options. The study analyzed saliva samples from 122,000 healthy adults across two large cancer studies over approximately nine years.
The research team explored the oral microbiomes of 445 patients who developed pancreatic cancer and compared them to 445 cancer-free participants. Medical history, smoking status, race, and age were taken into account during this analysis.
The findings indicated 27 types of bacteria and fungi linked to either an increased or decreased risk of this cancer, including three species commonly associated with gum disease. Those with higher counts of these microbes were found to be 3.5 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Ahn explained that our oral health is closely linked to overall well-being, stating, “We cannot separate the oral cavity or oral diseases from diseases that happen elsewhere in the body.”
Experts are hopeful that profiling the oral microbiome could serve as a simple, non-invasive method to identify individuals at higher risk for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Ahn pointed out that maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, is essential for overall health.
While this research shows a correlation between oral bacteria and pancreatic cancer risk, more studies are necessary to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Dr. Florencia McAllister, a cancer specialist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, noted that understanding the role of these microbes could be important for future cancer prevention strategies.
Furthermore, Dr. Purnima Kumar, an expert in oral medicine at the University of Michigan, reiterated the connection between oral health and other diseases, advising that dietary and lifestyle choices, including alcohol and tobacco use, also impact oral health.
As this research unfolds, scientists are eager to explore how factors like oral viruses may also play a role in cancer development and survival outcomes.
