Pancreatic Cancer Facilitated by Bacteria in Saliva

A group of investigators at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) announces the discovery of bacteria that appear to increase the risk a person has of developing pancreatic cancer. According to the team, more than 31 types of microorganisms have been associated with this cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most ruthless and aggressive forms of cancer. Only about 5 percent of all patients survive more than 5 years after diagnostics, and most die within a couple of years tops.

As such, finding out how to treat it, or prevent it, is a top priority for oncologists. In the new study, experts figured out that as many as 31 species of bacteria existed in excess in the saliva of patients suffering from this form of cancer.

Similarly, a number of 25 species were reduced in incidence in the same test group. The UCLA team believes that this may constitute a new avenue of research for studying the evolution of the disease, as well as possible ways of fighting it.