Type and Abundance of Mouth Bacteria Linked to Lung Cancer Risk in Non-Smokers
Published:28 Dec.2020 Source:BMJ
The type and abundance of bacteria found in the mouth may be linked to lung cancer risk in non-smokers, finds the first study of its kind, published online in the journal Thorax.
Fewer species and high numbers of particular types of bacteria seem to be linked to heightened risk, the findings indicate. Around one in four cases of lung cancer occurs in non-smokers and known risk factors, such as second hand tobacco smoke, background radon exposure, air pollution, and family history of lung cancer don't fully explain these figures, say the researchers.