Scientists from NYU Langone Health have found evidence that certain oral bacteria and fungi are associated with a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
The research, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed mouthwash samples from over 120,000 healthy participants who were tracked for nearly a decade.
During that time, 445 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
When researchers compared the oral microbiomes of those patients with healthy participants, they noticed a clear difference.
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People who later developed cancer tended to host more of 27 specific microbial species, including several bacteria tied to gum disease.
Together, these microbes were linked to a risk roughly three times higher than average.
How microbes might influence cancer
The team highlighted three bacteria in particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eubacterium nodatum, and Parvimonas micra, as being more abundant among those who developed the disease.
These species are already known to cause inflammation in the mouth.
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Scientists believe they could reach the pancreas through the digestive system or bloodstream, where they might trigger chronic inflammation or immune changes that make tissues more vulnerable to cancerous growth.
Although the study cannot prove cause and effect, it provides one of the strongest links yet between oral health and pancreatic cancer.
According to lead author Yixuan Meng, the findings open a new perspective on how the oral microbiome may reflect cancer risk.
What it means for prevention
Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates, with only about 13 percent of patients living beyond five years.
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Because it is often detected late, identifying early warning signs is a global medical priority.
Experts say that maintaining good oral hygiene, regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, might be a simple way to support long-term health.
As co-author Richard Hayes noted, paying attention to the microbes in our mouths could one day help doctors spot serious diseases earlier.
Sources: El Confidencial, and JAMA Oncology.
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