The Colorectal Cancer & Periodontal Disease Connection
Did you know that periodontal disease is a risk factor for colorectal cancer?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, of the cancers that affect both men and women in the United States colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer. In the United States in 2011, 135,260 people were diagnosed with CRC. Worldwide, 1 million people are diagnosed with CRC each year.
Research published in Cell Host & Microbe (Volume 14, Issue 2; Volume 15, Issues 3 and 6) links periodontal disease with colorectal cancer. Two specific bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), cause periodontal disease and have also been implicated in contributing to the development and progression of colorectal cancer.
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Periodontal Disease is an infectious bacterial disease of the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
The scientific studies concluded that Fn adheres to and then invades the endothelial cells lining the gut. This invasion induces an inflammatory response and promotes perversion of normal cell transformation to CRC. It also promotes tumor growth and evidence linking the bacteria to this mutation is found within the cancerous tumor. Furthermore, a second associated periodontal disease causing bacteria, Pg, has been shown to subvert the immunity of a host thereby creating a disease-promoting environment. The implications would suggest that both of these bacteria work in synergistic fashion increasing risk for CRC.
Periodontal disease has already been connected to a multitude of health issues. Extensive research links periodontal disease to Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Renal Disease, severe pregnancy issues (stillborn and preterm birth), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other medically detrimental conditions. With this recent research linking periodontal disease with CRC it is beyond question that the medical impact of dental health is vital and is still being discovered and defined.
The consequence of this information is that attention to oral health – especially the deliberate attention to periodontal disease – will improve medical systemic health. Patients need a thorough and complete annual periodontal examination and evaluation. Patients already with any of these disease entities should be under dental and medical care to limit the disease progression.
It is important to note that maintaining periodontal health will remove a major risk factor of colorectal cancer development. Systemic health must include oral health – the oral systemic link is evident.