Poor oral hygiene increases the risk for liver cancer

New studies by researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast have shown that poor oral health is associated with a 75 percent increased risk for the most common Form of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.

For the study, data from more than 469.000 people were analysed in the UK. On the search for associations between the oral health and the risk for a number of gastro-intestinal tumors, liver and pancreatic cancer, the researchers were able to find: A poor oral health, due to pain or bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and loose teeth noticeable, was observed in individuals with cancer of the liver more frequently. Between tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract and the oral hygiene were found no correlations.

During an average of six years of observation time developed 4.069 persons cancer of the gastro-intestinal. In 13 percent of these cases, the patients reported poor oral health. They were more often younger and/or female, rather lived in socially disadvantaged areas and ate little fruit and vegetables.

The exact mechanism of how poor oral health with liver cancer remains uncertain. A possible explanation would be changes in the mouth and intestinal multiple: "The liver contributes to the elimination of bacteria from the human body bei", Dr. Haydée WT Jordão from the centre for public health at Queen’s University in Belfast said. "If the liver is affected by diseases such as Hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver or cancer, decreases in their function, the bacteria will survive longer and may cause more damage." But it could be due to the fact that people, where many teeth are missing, change your diet, and softer, and possibly less nutritious foods to consume, what also affects the risk of liver cancer.

ZOU