New Delhi: A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, Southeast Asia highlights that maintaining good oral health can significantly improve cancer outcomes and survivorship. The study, authored by Dr. Abhishek Shankar and Dr. Vaibhav Sahni from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, draws attention to the impact of pathogenic oral bacteria on cancer progression and mortality.
According to the researchers, the presence of harmful bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia can elevate the risk of cancer and negatively affect both cancer-specific and disease-free survival rates.
“It is abundantly clear that oral healthcare plays a significant role in enhancing health-related outcomes, including those related to cancer survivorship. This evidence underscores the necessity of integrating oral health practices not only at the primary care level but throughout all healthcare settings,” the researchers noted in the paper.
Citing global studies, the authors pointed out that routine dental check-ups over a 10-year period were linked to reduced cancer-related mortality, particularly in patients with head and neck cancers (HNC).
To address the gap in public awareness and healthcare integration, the researchers recommend implementing structured oral health initiatives. These include school-based toothbrushing programmes, early diagnosis through oral mouthrinse-based point-of-care (PoC) testing, and promoting public awareness of oral hygiene practices.
“We tried to emphasise the importance of oral health in cancer care particularly for the Southeast Asia region to promote awareness and policy-level decision-making,” said Dr. Shankar, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS.
“We want public health initiatives to be structured around oral health such as school toothbrushing programmes that stand to aid not only the population at large but the exchequer as well,” he added.
The study also suggests distributing free toothbrushes and toothpaste, and encouraging behavioural change through awareness campaigns targeting teachers and families.
Also, Dr. Sahni, Scientist of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, emphasized the need for regulatory actions on unhealthy food marketing. “Prohibiting sugar-laden foods marketed using likable characters needs to be taken up seriously at a policy level,” he stated.
He further highlighted the importance of conducting region-specific research in Southeast Asia, rather than relying solely on data from Western countries, to guide effective policy and healthcare interventions.
(With inputs from IANS)