Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Sep 20: Pancreatic cancer, often called the silent killer for its subtle early symptoms and high fatality rate, claimed over 5 lakh lives globally in 2021. Now a major study by NYU Langone Health, published in JAMA Oncology, has uncovered a striking link between oral microbes and this deadly disease.

Key findings

Researchers tracked saliva samples of 1.22 lakh adults for nine years, identifying 27 oral microbes—including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eubacterium nodatum, and Parvimonas micra—that can more than triple pancreatic cancer risk. Certain fungi, such as Candida, were also found in pancreatic tumors, suggesting that microbes may travel from the mouth to the pancreas, causing inflammation that fuels tumor growth.

Why it matters

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously hard to catch early. A microbial risk score based on these findings could one day help spot high-risk individuals for earlier screening and treatment.

Prevention tips

Doctors stress that good oral hygiene—regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups—could lower risk. Other safeguards include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and staying physically active.

Experts caution that more research is needed to confirm how these microbes contribute to cancer, but the study offers a promising new tool for early detection and prevention of one of the world’s deadliest cancers.