The Crucial Link Between Oral Health and Cancer Survival
Oral Health's Impact on Cancer Care
New Delhi, July 14: Recent research from the All India Medical Science (AIIMS) highlights the vital connection between oral health and cancer treatment outcomes, emphasizing its role in improving survival rates.
Pathogenic oral bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, have been linked to increased cancer rates and negatively impact both cancer-specific and disease-free survival.
In a commentary featured in The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, oncologists Dr. Abhishek Shankar and Dr. Vaibhav Sahni from AIIMS stressed the importance of enhancing public health initiatives, as oral health significantly affects cancer outcomes and survivorship.
“The evidence clearly indicates that oral healthcare is crucial for improving health outcomes, particularly in cancer survivorship. This highlights the need to incorporate oral health practices across all healthcare levels,” the researchers noted in their publication.
The oncologists referenced various global studies that establish a correlation between oral health and cancer, especially in head and neck cancers (HNC). These studies revealed that regular dental check-ups over the last decade were linked to lower cancer mortality rates.
They advocated for initiatives such as toothbrushing programs to enhance oral care and the implementation of oral mouthrinse-based point-of-care testing for early detection of periodontal disease.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about the significance of oral health in cancer care, particularly in the Southeast Asia region, to influence policy decisions,” stated Dr. Shankar, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, Delhi.
“We believe that public health initiatives focused on oral health, like school toothbrushing programs, can benefit not only the general population but also the economy,” he added.
Moreover, the paper recommends educating and incentivizing teachers and families about oral health, along with distributing free toothbrushes and toothpaste to encourage positive behavioral changes.
Public health measures such as nutrition education and sugar warning labels could also help consumers make better choices.
“It is essential to seriously consider banning sugary foods marketed with appealing characters at the policy level,” Dr. Sahni, a Scientist in Radiation Oncology at AIIMS Delhi, emphasized.
He underscored the systemic and public health significance of oral health in cancer outcomes and the necessity for relevant data. The expert also called for comprehensive studies in Southeast Asia rather than merely applying Western findings to the region.