Neglected oral health linked to raised risk of liver cancer

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have analysed the oral habits and conditions of 469,628 people in the UK to see whether there is a link between oral health conditions and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers like colon, liver, pancreatic and rectum cancer. 4,069 participants in the study developed gastrointestinal cancer during the six-year follow up. 13% of these reported poor oral health, and were more likely to be young females living in deprived socioeconomic areas and eating less than two portions of fruit and vegetables a day. 

Dr Haydée WT Jordão, from the Centre of Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast and lead author of the study, said: “Poor oral health has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, however, there is inconsistent evidence on the association between poor oral health and specific types of gastrointestinal cancers, which is what our research aimed to examine…… The liver contributes to the elimination of bacteria from the human body. When the liver is affected by diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or cancer, its function will decline and bacteria will survive for longer and therefore have the potential to cause more harm. One bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, originates in the oral cavity but its role in liver cancer is unclear. Further studies investigating the microbiome and liver cancer are therefore warranted.”