Gum disease link to higher cancer rates

New research suggests that people affected by gum disease are also at higher risk for many forms of cancer.

A comparison of cancer rates between healthy men and men with gum disease causing bone or tooth loss has shown the latter have a 14% higher risk of cancer.

The risk of lung cancer was 36% higher, kidney cancer 49% higher and pancreatic cancer 54% higher. The risk of cancers involving the white blood cells was 30% higher, the first time this has been seen.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is known to increase the risk of heart disease, but less is known about its links to cancer.

The data was compiled after researchers from Imperial College, London, examined survey records from more than 48,000 US male health workers aged 40 to 75, who had been interviewed about their history of gum disease and cancer every two years between 1986 and 2004.

The authors, who reported their findings in  UK’s The Lancet Oncology, said the findings suggested gum disease, rather than causing cancer, might be a sign of immunity weakness.