Gum Disease Linked to Cancer Risk in Older Women
Postmenopausal women who have a history of gum disease also have a higher risk of cancer, according to a new study of more than 65,000 women.
In a large study of postmenopausal women, those who reported a history of gum disease were about 14% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer over the following years than women who did not. The link held among women who had never smoked. The study shows an association and can't prove that gum disease causes cancer, but it is one more reason to treat gum disease rather than ignore it.
What did the study look at?
Researchers at the University at Buffalo used data from the Women's Health Initiative, a long-term national study of postmenopausal women. They followed 65,869 women aged 54 to 86. Each woman answered a questionnaire between 1999 and 2003 about whether she had ever been told she had gum disease. Cancer diagnoses were confirmed by physician review, with follow-up through 2013. [1]
Over an average follow-up of about eight years, 7,149 cancers were diagnosed.
What did it find?
Overall cancer risk was about 14% higher in women who reported gum disease, after adjusting for age, smoking and other factors.
Among never-smokers, the increase was about 12%. That matters because smoking drives both gum disease and many cancers.
Specific cancers with a higher reported risk included esophageal, lung, gallbladder, breast and melanoma. The esophageal result was the largest, but it was based on a small number of cases. [1]
The study was the first of its size to look at gum disease and cancer in older US women. It was also the first to report a link with gallbladder cancer. [1]
What are the limits?
Gum disease was self-reported, not measured by a dentist. Some women would have misremembered or not known.
It is observational. It shows that two things occur together. Shared risk factors, such as diabetes, diet and access to health care, could explain part of the link.
The overall increase is modest. Most women with gum disease in the study did not develop cancer.
The authors called for more research to understand whether, and how, gum disease affects cancer risk. No study has yet shown that treating gum disease prevents cancer.
What should older women take from this?
Keep up the cancer screening your physician recommends.
Have your gums checked. Gum disease is often painless. Bleeding, recession, loose teeth or a change in your bite are worth an exam.
Mention changes in your health. Menopause, new medications, diabetes and dry mouth can all affect your gums.
Don't smoke. It raises the risk of gum disease and most of the cancers in this study.
Related research and where to get care
We cover the breast cancer finding in more detail in gum disease and breast cancer, and a separate Harvard study on gum disease and esophageal and stomach cancer. A comprehensive dental exam at our Jacksonville office includes a full gum evaluation. Contact us or call 904-398-1549 to schedule.
Sources
Nwizu NN, Marshall JR, Moysich K, et al. Periodontal disease and incident cancer risk among postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2017;26(8):1255-1265. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-17-0212 (retrieved via PubMed)
University at Buffalo. History of gum disease increases cancer risk in older women. News release, August 1, 2017, via ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Hurricane Irma Office Closure (September 2017)
Due to the upcoming hurricane, we will close our office temporarily. We be closed starting Monday (September 11, 2017) and Tuesday (September 12, 2017). Depending on the storm's path we may be closed on Wednesday (September 13, 2017) as well.
Please be safe and know that we are always available even if the office is closed. Please call the office at 904.398.1549. The on call doctor number is on the voicemail.
For More information about the storm please click the links below.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
This notice was posted in September 2017. Our office closed on Monday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 12, 2017, because of Hurricane Irma, and we planned to reopen on Wednesday, September 13. It is kept here as part of the practice's history.
Current hours and contact
For today's hours, appointments and how to reach us, please visit our contact page. If you have an urgent dental problem, see emergency dental care or call the office at 904-398-1549.
Storm preparedness resources
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Sources
Florida Division of Emergency Management, floridadisaster.org. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
JaxReady, City of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division and Information Technologies Division, jaxready.com. Retrieved October 6, 2026.