Gum disease linked to cancer risk

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A study of more than 48,000 men in the US showed that overall cancer risk was 21% higher for those with a history of gum disease who had never smoked.

The same group had a 35% greater risk of blood cancers. Including those who smoked, gum disease was associated with a 14% higher overall cancer risk.

The reason for the link is unclear. Gum disease may in some way directly influence cancer risk, or may simply signify a weak immune system, scientists believe.

Dr Dominique Michaud, from Imperial College London, led the investigation reported in The Lancet Oncology journal. Her team used data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HFPS) which began in 1986 and involved a large group of American male health professionals aged 40 to 75.

Participants responded to questions about their health and lifestyle posted by Harvard University. Gum disease with bone loss and tooth loss in the previous two years were recorded, together with smoking history and diet. A note was also taken of any new cancers diagnosed during a follow-up period typically covering 17.7 years.

From a pool of 48,375 men, a total of 5,720 cases of cancer were recorded, excluding non-malignant skin cancer and non-aggressive prostate cancer. The most common cancers were bowel, melanoma (malignant skin cancer), lung, bladder and advanced prostate.

For individual cancers, men with a history of gum disease had a higher risk of lung cancer (36%), kidney cancer (49%), pancreatic cancer (54%), and white blood cell cancers (30%) when compared with those with no record of gum problems. Having fewer teeth at the start of the study was associated with a 70% increased risk of lung cancer.

The authors wrote: "Gum disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk, which persisted in never-smokers.

"The associations recorded for lung cancer are probably because of residual confounding by smoking. The increased risks noted for haematological (blood), kidney and pancreatic cancers need confirmation, but suggest that gum disease might be a marker of a susceptible immune system or might directly affect cancer risk."