Key Takeaways

Pancreatic cancer might be linked to microbes living in people’s mouths

27 bacteria and fungi increase pancreatic cancer risk by 3.5 times

The microbes include some already linked to gum disease

FRIDAY, Sept. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A person’s risk of pancreatic cancer might be tied to the microbes living in their mouths, a new study says.

People have a more than tripled risk of pancreatic cancer if their mouths contain 27 types of bacteria and fungi, including some directly linked to gum disease, researchers reported Sept. 18 in JAMA Oncology .

“It is clearer than ever that brushing and flossing your teeth may not only help prevent periodontal disease but may also protect against cancer,” co-senior author Dr. Richard Hayes , a professor of population health a

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