Study Identifies Oral Bacteria and Fungi as Risk Factors
Expert: “Oral Hygiene Management Is Not Optional but Essential”
A new study has found that bacteria and fungi living in the mouth can significantly increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This suggests that oral hygiene management may affect not only dental health but also cancer prevention.
On September 19, the Daily Mail and other UK media outlets reported that a research team from New York University School of Medicine in the United States had announced findings showing a close relationship between the distribution of oral microorganisms and pancreatic cancer. The study was published in the latest issue of the international medical journal JAMA Oncology.
The researchers collected saliva samples from more than 120,000 American adults, analyzed the genetic information of oral microorganisms, and tracked the participants for about nine years. During this period, 445 individuals were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The team compared the oral microbiota of these patients with those of a control group who did not develop cancer. The analysis revealed that certain bacteria and fungi acted as factors that increased the risk of pancreatic cancer.
In particular, three types of bacteria known to cause periodontal disease-Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eubacterium nodatum, and Peptostreptococcus micra-as well as a type of fungus called Candida, were identified as risk factors. When these microorganisms were present in high amounts, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer was found to be up to 3.5 times (specifically, 3.44 times) higher than average.
This study provides real-world data supporting the existing hypothesis that oral microorganisms can travel to the pancreas via saliva, cause inflammation, and contribute to cancer development over the long term. Based on the distribution of 27 types of bacteria and fungi in the mouth that influence pancreatic cancer risk, the researchers also developed a model to predict an individual’s risk of pancreatic cancer, reflecting both the quantity and combinations of these microorganisms.
Professor Richard Hayes, who participated in the study, emphasized, “Brushing and flossing are important not only for preventing periodontal disease but also for reducing cancer risk,” adding, “Oral hygiene management is not optional but essential.” Co-researcher Professor An Jiyeong also stated, “This opens up the possibility of early identification of high-risk groups for pancreatic cancer through oral microbiome analysis alone.”
Based on these results, the research team plans to conduct further studies on the relationship between oral viruses and cancer development, as well as the impact of microbial diversity on patient survival rates and treatment responses.
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