An oral bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), usually isolated to the mouth and associated with gum disease, is found in colorectal tumors. (r, r)
This bacterium makes it way to the
end of the digestive tract where it may help colorectal cancers develop and grow. (r)
Whether or
not this correlation with gum disease has a causative role is yet to be determined.
But since we have a pretty good idea of what causes gum disease and proliferation of pathogenic bacteria...
• poor diet (high carb/sugar)
• smoking
• mouth breathing
...it seems prudent to start here.
What doesn't cause gum disease and pathogenetic bacteria to proliferate in the mouth?
Meat.
What often gets blamed for colon cancer? Meat.
Because colon cancer is relatively common but tricky to catch, dentist can potentially play an important role in prevention and early detection of colon cancer.
The mouth is the window to the rest of the body.
