Identifying the risk factors underlying cancer is essential to reducing the risk of this deadly disease. A recent study found that neglecting a public hygiene practice could increase your risk of developing cancer by 52 percent over time.
It is not always clear why cancer cells divide and proliferate in the body. However, increasing evidence links poor lifestyle choices to a higher risk of cancer. Neglect of oral hygiene may be one of the factors that raises the risk of cancer, with a concerning report published late last year linking gum disease to a significantly higher risk of two types of cancer.
Gum disease is a very common condition characterized by swollen or inflamed gums, and it can arise from a number of factors, but the primary cause is the accumulation of plaque on your teeth due to inadequate brushing.
A study from Harvard University suggests that the microbes residing between your teeth and gums may affect the risk of stomach and esophagus cancers. Harvard scientists analyzed health data from two major studies involving nearly 150,000 men and women.
During up to 28 years of follow-up, individuals with a history of gum disease were 43 percent more likely to develop esophageal cancer and 52 percent more likely to develop stomach cancer compared to individuals with healthy gums. The risk was higher among those with severe gum disease that led to tooth loss.
It is worth noting that this is an observational study and does not prove that gum disease causes cancer, but it may mean that doctors will consider gum health in total risk assessments someday, according to the British newspaper Express.
