The Tribune

Dr Andre Clarke The pancreas is a spongy grey-pink organ that is shaped somewhat like a fish. It is a 6- to 10-inch long organ that is located behind the stomach in the back of the abdomen. The pancreas is a part of the digestive system and produces enzymes or digestive juices (i.e. proteins that speed up chemical reactions in a living organism) that are secreted into the small intestine to further breakdown food after it has left the stomach. It also produces the hormone insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream in order to regulate the body's glucose or sugar level. The pancreas is a very important part of our body and is very important to life. When cancerous cells invade the pancreas, the prognosis is often very low. This is exemplified by the American Cancer Society's report in 2006 about pancreatic cancer. In 2006, approximately 33,730 Americans were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and of that number, more than 32,000 died from it. Pancreatic cancer is accepted as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States of America. Of particular significance in the world of mouth care, is the new startling realization. There is a link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer. A study from Harvard has made the link. Other studies in the past have made links between poor hygiene and other medical problems (heart disease, stroke, etc.), but this study is the first to find a solid link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer. It shows that gum disease could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study began in 1986 and documented over 50,000 men working in health professions. Researchers verified 216 cases of pancreatic cancer between 1986 and 2002. Of note, 67 of those cases were persons with gum disease. Therefore, in summary (after adjusting for factors such as diabetes and smoking), the findings showed that the men with gum disease were 63 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Dr Dominique Michaud is an assistant professor of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health (Boston) and says that one possible reason for the link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer could be that "Individuals with periodontal disease (gum disease) have elevated serum biomarkers of systemic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, and these may somehow contribute to the promotion of cancer cells." Another plausible reason Dr Michaud offers is that a person with periodontal disease (gum disease) has increased levels of carcinogens (cancer causing agents) and oral bacteria in their mouth. We should take note. Our life may depend on it. In the past, two studies uncovered a link between tooth loss or gum disease and pancreatic cancer, but the findings carried no real weight because there were no control measures implemented during the studies. However, the study headed by Dr Michaud did have controls and it did not suffer from the aforementioned shortcomings. It has opened our eyes. Let us take our body health seriously and our mouth health just as seriously. There is a connection between the two that has always been suspected, but science and research are only now giving us the necessary academic confirmation. It is left up to us to decide what to do with the information. Will we keep our mouths alive? Will we listen to what our gums and teeth have been trying to tell us? Please let us. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and may not be treated as, a substitute for professional medical/dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or dental professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical/dental condition. Never disregard professional medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of a purely informational publication. If you have questions, please send email to dr_andreclarke@hotmail.com.