Possible link between oral bacteria and bowel cancer
17th February 2012
Adults who do not look after their oral hygiene could be land themselves with serious health problems, according to research recently carried out in America.
Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in the United States have found that the mouth bacteria which have been found to cause gum disease could also lead to the development of bowel cancer.
The research is based on nine colorectal tumour samples which were found to contain an abnormally large number of a bacterium associated with gum disease - known as Fusobacterium.
Gum disease is a common problem for adults in the UK, usually indicated by bad breath, loose teeth and swollen gums that bleed with brushing.
While in many cases the problem is easy to treat, failing to identify and tackle gum disease can lead to tooth loss and the need for dental restoration such as full dental implants in later years.
Although the research does suggest that oral bacteria is linked to the development of this cancer, the study's lead author Matthew Meyerson cautioned that further research is needed to establish the nature of this link.
"At this point, we don't know what the connection between Fusobacterium and colon cancer might be," he said.
"It may be that the bacterium is essential for cancer growth, or that cancer simply provides a hospitable environment for the bacterium."
However, while the precise nature of the link may not have been established, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter believes that the results of the study emphasise the importance of a good oral health.
"This research, although at an early stage, is more evidence of the systemic links between oral and overall health," he added.
"Everyone sufferers from gum disease at some point in their lives, which could potentially endanger thousands of people if they persist in neglecting their oral health."
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