Gum disease, both in smokers and non-smokers, may be a warning sign of an increased risk of cancer. Imperial College London researchers found gum disease was linked to a higher chance of lung, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers. Writing in Lancet Oncology, the team, who studied the health records of 50,000 men, said an immune system weakness could cause both illnesses. The British Dental Association stressed the need for regular check-ups. The majority of Britons are said to suffer from some sort of gum disease, caused by a persistent bacterial infection, and the problem is more common in people who smoke. However, the latest research suggests that, even in those who have never smoked, the presence of gum disease means a bigger risk of cancer. The Imperial College team analysed questionnaires and health information provided by US men from 1986 onwards. They found that those with a history of gum disease had a 14% higher chance of cancer compared with those with no history of g...
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