Researchers at NYU Langone Health have conducted an extensive study involving over 122,000 individuals, revealing a direct and significant correlation between the composition of microbes in the mouth and the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Their findings indicate that the saliva of patients who were later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer contained 27 specific types of bacteria and fungi. The presence of these microorganisms was found to increase the likelihood of the disease by more than threefold. Particularly dangerous among these were certain bacteria known to cause periodontitis, as well as Candida yeast strains, which were also identified within the pancreatic tumors themselves. This groundbreaking research was published on the university`s official website.
The study`s authors propose that oral microbes can travel from the mouth to the pancreas via saliva, where they may instigate inflammatory processes. A key aspect of this research is its pioneering role in demonstrating the involvement of not only bacteria but also fungi in the pathogenesis of this serious illness.
Furthermore, the researchers strongly emphasized the critical importance of maintaining excellent oral hygiene. According to Professor Richard Hayes, consistent practices such as regular tooth brushing and flossing can contribute significantly not only to the prevention of gum diseases but also to lowering the risk of various oncological conditions, notably including pancreatic cancer.
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