A recent study has found patients with HPV-positive tumours had significantly higher bone loss, a key factor in the development of severe gum disease, compared with patients with HPV-negative tumours. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the key causes of oral cancer, so the study indicates a link between severe periodontal disease and cancer.
The study, published in the Archives of Otolaryngology, sampled 124 patients suffering from oral cancer, 50 of which were as a result of HPV. Lead author Mine Tezal, D.D.S., Ph.D., of the University at Buffalo said: “Prevention or treatment of sources of inflammation in the oral cavity may be a simple yet effective way to reduce the acquisition and persistence of oral HPV infection.”
The news comes at a time when the Australian Dental Association Inc. (ADA) is fighting to increase awareness of oral cancer, the risk factors that contribute to it and lifestyle changes that can help reduce a person’s risk of getting oral cancer.
“Every day, at least three Australians are being diagnosed with oral cancer. Survival rates for oral cancer remain low despite advances in treatment and this can be attributed to late detection. Recognising the risk factors and signs of oral cancer is vital to better prognosis and outcomes,” says chairman of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee, Dr Peter Alldritt.
Although further research is required to determine the exact relationship of the link between severe gum disease and an increased risk of HPV-related oral cancer, it is not the first time poor oral health and cancer have been linked.
Recent research carried out at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggested failure to brush your teeth properly could increase the chance of premature death resulting from cancer. They found a link between high levels of dental plaque – the cause of gum disease – and dying from cancer up to 13 years earlier than previously expected.
“Early detection of oral cancer can save lives, so it’s important to know what you should be looking out for in your mouth. Ulcers or lumps in the mouth which do not heal within two weeks should be treated with suspicion. Smoking, alcohol, poor diet, sun exposure and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) all contribute to a person’s risk of presenting with oral cancer,” says Dr Alldritt.
“What is more concerning is the incidence of oral cancers in non-smokers”, Dr Alldritt added.
The British Dental Health Foundation has also been campaigning on this topic, and chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, added, “Most of us suffer from gum disease at some point in our lives, yet it is entirely preventable. By developing and keeping a good oral health routine it lowers the risk of gum disease and any possible links to more serious diseases. We should all take time to reflect on how we can make that a reality.”
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