Periodontal disease associated with increased cancer risk
In a prospective cohort study on male health professionals, periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk, which persisted in never-smokers. Similar research up till now has suggested that tooth loss and periodontal disease might increase the risk of developing various cancers; however, smoking might have confounded the reported associations. Dental Learning Hub asked Dr Dominique Michaud, reader in cancer epidemiology at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London, UK, about the results and why this study is unique.
Dental Learning Hub: How do the findings of your study contribute to the current evidence on trends in cancer and its links with periodontitis?
Dominique Michaud: There are very limited data on periodontitis and cancer risk and most studies published to date have limitations that hinder interpretation of results, such as lack of adjustment for smoking. Consequently, our study is really the first to examine this association in great detail with careful adjustment of important confounding factors and with a prospective design which reduces possibility of other errors.
Dental Learning Hub: What are the most important outcomes of the research?
Dominique Michaud: The finding that overall cancer is increased by 14% in those with reported periodontal disease compared to those with no periodontal disease after controlling for smoking, and that this association persisted among never smokers.
Dental Learning Hub: Will you be conducting further research on this particular topic?
Dominique Michaud: Yes, we are planning future studies. Our current objectives are to improve exposure assessment (i.e. periodontal disease measurement), including the use biomarkers of periodontal disease.
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Full article
Periodontal disease, tooth loss, and cancer risk in male health professionals: a prospective cohort study, The Lancet Oncology
Volume 9, issue 6, June 2008 550- 558
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In a prospective cohort study on male health professionals, periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk, which persisted in never-smokers. Similar research up till now has suggested that tooth loss and periodontal disease might increase the risk of developing various cancers; however, smoking might have confounded the reported associations. Dental Learning Hub asked Dr Dominique Michaud, reader in cancer epidemiology at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London, UK, about the results and why this study is unique.
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