Bacteria associated with tooth loss linked to bowel cancer

Posted by Yvonne Wallace

A new study has found there is a link between bacteria found in the mouth that is known to lead to tooth loss in adults and the development of bowel cancer.

According to scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in America, an abnormally large number of Fusobacterium, which is a bacterium associated with the development of periodontal disease, discovered in nine colorectal tumour samples, which led to the possibility the two could be associated.

However, Dr Matthew Meyerson, co-director of the Center for Cancer Genome Discovery at Dana-Farber and a professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, called for more research into the link between bowel cancer and tooth loss in adults to be carried out.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter said the study proves the link between good oral health and general health levels.

Figures from the NHS reveal bowel cancer is Britain’s second most common cancer, with more than 30,000 new cases every year.