Well known celebrities like Patrick Swayze and Steve Jobs have battled pancreatic cancer publicly. The highly lethal disease has long perplexed doctors because symptoms rarely present themselves until the cancer has already progressed. At least one new predictor has been recently discovered, however, and it happens to involve oral bacteria. Dr. Deborah Gennero, your Houston, TX dentist, will explain how this new discovery might help future pancreatic cancer patients receive an earlier diagnosis.
Oral Bacteria Could Be More Risky than Smoking
Over 800 European blood samples were examined for the study which was published in the journal Gut. High antibody levels for the infectious periodontal bacteria – Porphyromonas gingivalis – was connected with double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Smoking, which has been connected with this particular form of cancer that attacks the pancreas, may actually be less of a risk then an over-abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Study Details
Scientists compiled the blood samples of 405 volunteers, each of whom had previously been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. An additional 416 cancer-free patients were chosen from a pool of 500,000 that had been compiled for the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study. The patients with pancreatic cancer tested with higher levels of P. gingivalis. Meanwhile, the control group showed higher levels of antibodies for certain bacteria which were harmless. This had the researcher’s wheels turning as to whether or not the oral bacteria in patients connected to a cause for the cancer, or if (in actuality) the non-cancer patients with higher levels of antibodies are simply genetically better equipped to fight off cancer.
Dental Checkups from Houston, TX Dentist
Are you keeping up with your dental hygiene twice-a-day? Don’t forget about your biannual checkups. Keep your gums healthy by visiting your Houston, TX dentist every six months. To schedule an appointment at our 77084 dental office call us at (281) 578-6200. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and to learn more about the team. We gladly welcome patients from Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.
