The research: Researchers from San Diego State University compared the salivary bacteria of 131 patients, 14 of whom had pancreatic cancer, 13 had pancreatic disease, 22 had other forms of cancer, and 10 who were free of disease. They found that the patients with pancreatic cancer had higher levels of two kinds salivary bacteria (Leptotrichia and Campylobacter) than those with other forms of disease or those who were healthy. The researchers believe that in the future, they may be able to find pancreatic cancer in its early stages by analyzing individuals’ saliva and looking at the ratios of these bacteria. The meaning: Although the researchers aren’t sure exactly why salivary bacteria is correlated with pancreatic cancer, they think it may be due to the fact that both saliva and the pancreas produce amylase, an enzyme that helps turn starch into sugar. “Changes in the pancreatic amylase could be reflected in the salivary amylase,” says Pedro Torres, study researcher and microbiology graduate student at San Diego State. “That would change the carbohydrates and sugar in the mouth and impact the microbiome.” The bottom line: Currently, patients diagnosed in the early stages of the disease have a 5-year survival rate of 21.5%, but symptoms typically don’t appear until the cancer has reached an untreatable stage. These new findings could eventually lead to new tests for diagnosing pancreatic cancer early in its progression. More from Prevention: 20 Simple Ways To Lower Your Cancer Risk
