LINKING GUM DISEASE AND BREAST CANCER

New study shows that periodontal disease raises the risk for breast cancer in post-menopausal women especially if they smoke.

Pathogens associated with periodontitis (gum disease) are also found in breast cancer sufferers. It is well known that some pathogens trigger immune responses that cause mutation of body tissue by producing toxins that disturb the cell cycle.

The pathogens that cause a breakdown in the perio-ligament (that holds the tooth in the gum socket), and cause bone loss also cause carcinogenic mutations.

The study was carried out by the University of Buffalo with a sample size of 73,000 post menopausal women none of whom reported previous breast cancer episodes. Over a quarter of this sample had periodontal disease to begin with and after seven years it was found that amongst these women there was a 14% increased chance of developing breast cancer.

Amongst women from this group who smoked or who had quit within the past 20 years the risk increased by 36%.