Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have investigated how breast cancer develops and progresses.
Previous studies have suggested a possible link between gum disease and cancer, but without a clear explanation.
The new research, published in Cell Communication and Signaling, is based on experiments involving both cells and animals.
The researchers observed changes in breast tissue that may contribute to the onset of the disease.
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According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, inflammatory responses and increased cell growth were among the findings, both well-known factors in cancer development.
What happens in the cells?
The study shows that certain influences can damage cellular DNA. When the body attempts to repair this damage, errors may occur, increasing the risk of cancer.
At the same time, researchers found that some proteins become more active. This may make cancer cells more aggressive and harder to treat.
According to the researchers, these mechanisms may help explain why some cancers grow faster and spread more easily.
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Bacteria in the mouth
A bacterium from the mouth, Fusobacterium nucleatum, can travel through the bloodstream to breast tissue.
There, it may contribute to the initiation, progression, and spread of breast cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Individuals with certain genetic changes, particularly in the BRCA1 gene, were found to be more vulnerable. Their cells more readily absorbed these influences and retained them over time.
The findings suggest that oral health may play a greater role in overall health than previously thought.
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Sources: Science Daily, and Cell Communication and Signaling.
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