Men with periodontal disease had 64 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer? should i be worried. i have moderate gum disease. finally got dental ins

Statistical Relation: From my understanding, no cause and effect relationship. Other factors to consider. I think at this stage you should be more worried about losing your teeth and wearing dentures. http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/article/ada-01-periodontal-disease

Fortunately: pancreatic cancer is less common than cancers of lung, colon, prostate, blood. So 64% more of a small risk is still a risk smaller than any of the other cancers or more common cause of death such as heart disease. You should have your teeth/gums treated, but this treatment would probably not affect your risk of death in any meaningful manner.

Periodontal Disease: Good day; I would be concerned more about eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining a inflammatory free dentition than an increased susceptibility to Pancreatic Cancer. Meticulous home care, firm keratinized gingival tissue and frequent prophylaxis visits will minimize cancer susceptibility.

Be aware: Knowing that some of the pathogens in gum disease are associated with but not necessarily causal for pancreatic cancer really gives you one logical option: Manintain your periodontal health so you have a normal flora or bacterial ecosystem so you have one less thing to worry about! The fewer things you have that are associated with significant disease, the better!

Risk: Risk of damage from gum infection more significant than slightly elevated risk of pancreatic cancer. See a Periodontist, a gum/bone specialist, to treat your infection, thus reducing cancer risk.

See below: Have your dentist take care of your periodontal issues and refer you to a periodontist if needed.

Risk factors: You have other risk factors that would be more indicative of cancer risk. Alcohol and smoking are significant risk factors for oral cancer so a screening visit is indicated. The correlation with pancreatic cancer is not indicative of causation. Get an exam, screening and treatment for your periodontal issues, for your health in general

Peridontal disease: The good news is that periodontal disease can be treated. Get to a dentist and get your mouth healthy. Also work n your diet, weight, smoking and the other unhealthy areas in your life.

Periodontal Health: We should all try to improve our health as best we can on a daily basis. Therefore go for routine dental and medical check-ups and listen to your dentist and physician's recommendations. There have been shown higher health risks in general for individuals with poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. While present they are not major risks. Especially at your age I would not worry.

See your dentist: Having periodontal disease puts you at risk for other health problems as well. Good thing is, it is treatable. See you dentist to help you manage your periodontal disease.

Other factors: are also at play, but definitely get your gum disease properly treated asap and maintain regular visits to keep it at bay.

Cause and effect?: There are a lot of bad studies out there. Just because there's a statistical relationshp doesn't prove a thing, especially that managing the gum disease will decrease your risk. You should do this for your own sake. I suspect that both are related to tobacco use, which causes both.