Periodontal disease, women and several types of cancer

The American Association for Cancer Research reports that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer in post menopausal women (even for those who had never smoked). 

The research published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention involved 65,869 women aged 54-86 years old, enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.  The study showed a history of periodontal disease was associated with a 14% higher risk of developing cancer.  Women with periodontal disease were 3 times more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus, lung cancer, gallbladder cancer, breast cancer and melanoma were also associated with a higher risk.

NOTE:  The study was supported by the Women's Health Initiative, funded by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The study was also funded by grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the U.S. Army