Gum Disease Linked to Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

Gum disease was associated with increased risk of cancer in postmenopausal women, finds a study that involved more than 65,000 women. The research team also found significantly higher risk of lung cancer, gallbladder cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer. Cancers of the lung, breast, and gallbladder were higher among postmenopausal women who smoked and had gum disease. However, the risk of melanoma was higher among women who never smoked, but had gum disease.