People who have certain bacteria and fungi in their mouths may face dramatically higher people Risk of pancreatic cancer – More than three times larger, according to a new study from the Nyu Langone Health and Perlmutter Cancer Center.
In a study published in Jama Oncology, researchers identified 27 different types Bacteria and fungal species Oral microbiota that can contribute to disease.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal cancers. In 2025, an estimated 67,440 Americans were diagnosed, with about 51,980 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
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“At the moment, we have not undergone good screening tests and treatment options are limited, so it is very important to find new modifiable risk factors as they can help prevent this disease,” co-study author Dr. Jiyoung Ahn, professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Population Sciences of the NYU Perlmitter Cancer Center, told Fox News Digital.
The researchers analyzed saliva collected from 122,000 healthy adults who participated in two large cancer studies and followed them for about nine years.
Investigators compared oral microbiota found in 445 patients with onset Pancreatic cancer With that of 445 randomly selected cancer-free participants.
Factors such as Medical historysmoking habits, race and age were taken into consideration, the study authors noted.
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Investigators identified 24 bacteria and fungi associated with an increased or reduced risk of disease, as well as three more bacteria known to be associated with both gingival disease and pancreatic cancer.
Collectively, microorganisms were associated with a greater than three-fold increase in risk for developing this. Types of cancer.
“Overall, we summarized the effects of these 27 microbial species by creating risk scores that combine the size and abundance of various effects,” Ahn told Fox News Digital. “Using this approach, we found that individuals with higher scores have a 3.5-fold increase in their risk of developing pancreatic cancer.”
Connections with the poor Oral health Pancreatic cancer has been observed in previous studies, but little is known about which species of bacteria are potential perpetrators.
“Oral microbiome profiling serves as a non-invasive biomarker to identify high-risk individuals who may benefit from enhanced surveillance, especially considering the lack of effective early detection methods for pancreatic cancer,” Ahn said.
These findings include regular brushing, flossing, and Dental treatment.
“This is a modifiable factor for preventing pancreatic cancer,” Ahn said. “This is also consistent with a broader public health message, such as the US Surgeon General’s report, highlighting that oral hygiene has a significant impact on overall systemic health.”
Florencia McAllister, Maryland, associate professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, tracks microorganisms in oral and stool samples.
“In the future, microbial characterization and modulation may be an important part Personalized Cancer Prevention“McAllister, who has nothing to do with the study, told Fox News Digital.
Further investigation is needed to determine whether microorganisms play a role in cancer development or whether other causes are caused. Genetics etc. Or, according to the doctor, immunosuppression is working.
Dr. Purnima Kumar, chairman of the Faculty of Periodontal Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, confirmed the link between oral hygiene and illness.
“We cannot separate oral oral diseases from diseases that occur elsewhere in the body,” Kumar, a spokesman for the American Dental Association, told Fox News Digital. (She was not involved in the research.)
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Advertise Healthy oral microbiotadentists recommend brushing and flossing regularly to perform consistent dental examinations.
Food choices and lifestyle habits – alcohol use, etc. Smoking and vaping – It could also affect oral health, Kumar pointed out.
The study had several limitations, the study authors acknowledged.
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For example, this study establishes a correlation only between pancreatic cancer risk and oral microorganisms; Further research It is necessary to establish direct causes and effects.
Going forward, the team will investigate whether the virus in the mouth contributes to cancer and whether the microbiota plays a role in survival outcomes.
