The researchers analyzed bacterial samples taken from the mouths of 122,000 people, conducted DNA tests to determine the exact types of bacteria present in them, and then followed the participants for ten years to see which of them would develop esophageal cancer.
The final results of the study, published in the journal Cancer Research, showed that study participants who had large amounts of certain types of bacteria - Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis - were 21 percent more likely to develop esophageal cancer.
Professor Jiang Ahin, who led the study, said: "Our research shows that a deeper understanding of the bacterial environment in the mouth can help develop strategies to prevent esophageal cancer, or at least aid in the early detection of esophageal cancer patients."
He added that "esophageal cancer is a very deadly type of cancer, so there is an urgent need to find new ways to prevent it, reduce the risk of infection, and detect it early."
The best way to keep your mouth free of harmful bacteria is to brush your teeth well twice a day, in addition to periodic visits to the dentist, according to the Walla website.
However, it must be emphasized that the results of this study do not prove that bacteria directly cause cancer formation; The presence of bacteria may cause diseases of the mouth and gums, which in turn increase the risk of cancer.
