Expert establishes a link between breast cancer and oral hygiene

Poor dental hygiene and gum disease had been linked to increased risk of cancers including prostate cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, gallbladder cancer, melanoma and pancreatic cancer and other general health conditions (such as pneumonia, stroke, heart disease, problem pregnancy, and Diabetes mellitus).

The Executive Secretary of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Abia Nzelu, said women with poor oral hygiene are more likely to develop breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every October.

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The day gives insight into the aspect of the disease which most people are unaware of.

However, scientific research has recently demonstrated a link between breast cancer and oral health.

Women with poor oral hygiene and periodontitis (inflammation of the gum), are three times more likely to develop breast cancer. The risk is greater in smokers.

The prevention and early diagnosis of periodontitis are, therefore, very important not only for the patients’ oral health but also for their overall wellbeing. The best way to achieve this is by following the 2-2-2-2-2-2-2 rule of dental hygiene

(Breast cancer also occurs in men, but it is 100 times more common in women).

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