I did a Zumbathon on Saturday for breast cancer charity (see the tired photo of me at the end of it!)
Most of us know someone who has suffered or is suffering from breast cancer. And did you know men can get it too.
A new study suggests that women may be over 11 times more likely to suffer from breast cancer if they have missing teeth and gum disease.
It is not clear if gum disease contributes to the disease or if it is a marker for a weaker immune system. There are new studies showing the link with inflammation of the gums and many other diseases. I can’t treat the diseases of the body but gum inflammation and disease is something as a dentist can help resolve – if it has half a chance of reducing the disease then I think that is worth it.
When we first heard of this study we decided to put £5 for every new patient that joined us to Breast Cancer Research during Smile Month earlier in the year to try and raise awareness. We raised £235 and added another £100 to this.
Practically – check yourself, get checked out – early detection improves the outcome and let us helps you get your gums healthy. After all there are enough people out there suffering from it and their families and friends who care about them, let’s do what we can to help.
[1] Söder, B, Yakob, M, Meurman, J, Andersson, L, Klinge, B, Söder, P, 8 October 2010, ‘Periodontal disease may associate with breast cancer’, Karolinska Institute, Sweden.