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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / February 2008breast cancer and root canals?
I know that the official position of the ADA is that there is no link between root canals and breast cancer, and they are probably right. However, have any studies been done? E.g., is the population of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer more or less likely to have had root canals than the general population (adjusting for age, smoking, etc)? I think those kinds of studies would be invaluable, and I don't think the information would be that hard to come by, > I know that the official position of the ADA is that there is no link > between root canals and breast cancer, and they are probably right. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I think those kinds of studies would be invaluable, and I don't think the > information would be that hard to come by, There has certainly been a lot of study done in the general area because of the known relationship between bisphosphonate drugs (bone strengthening) and jaw necrosis, so I think that if there were any risk factor it would have been spotted. Tim Jackson >> I know that the official position of the ADA is that there is no link >> between root canals and breast cancer, and they are probably right. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > strengthening) and jaw necrosis, so I think that if there were any risk > factor it would have been spotted. I'm not sure I understand that. Can you elaborate for laymen? >>> I know that the official position of the ADA is that there is no link >>> between root canals and breast cancer, and they are probably right. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > I'm not sure I understand that. Can you elaborate for laymen? Many patients with advanced breast cancer develop metastases to major bones. To combat the resultant fracture risk, they are usually given a bisphosphonate drug such as Fosamax which reduces the normal resorption of bone, and also tends to slow the growth of metastases. It has been observed that among these patient there appears to be an elevated risk of any subsequent dental surgery resulting in necrosis of the jaw, and there have been law suits against the manufacturers from sufferers. Studies have been done to quantify the risk involved, which showed among other things, that the problem was mainly with long-term users of the drug. Consequently there has been fairly extensive study of patients who have had both advanced breast cancer and major dental surgery, which I would have thought would have shown up pretty obviously if there was any particular statistical anomaly in the sampling. Admittedly these studies are looking at the timing the other way around, so it's possible a small effect might be missed. Is there a reason why you think that there should be a link? Given the average age of breast cancer patients, I would think that in the Western world there can't be that many who -haven't- had a root canal or similar dental work done at some time. Tim >>>> I know that the official position of the ADA is that >>>> there is no link between root canals and breast cancer, [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > many who -haven't- had a root canal or similar dental work > done at some time. I don't think the connection is with people who have had a root canal, but with people who are undergoing invasive, bone exposing, oral surgery while undergoing a course of bisphosphante treatment. Although it is my wife who has BC, I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis probably related to my Crohn's Disease. My rheumatologist wanted to put me on a bisphosphonate immediately. But, because I'm in the midst of heavy duty oral surgery with bone grafts and insertion of numerous dental implants, I elected to defer the bisphosphantes until my dental situation was stabilized. In my case, despite what many will characterize as a low risk of osteonecrosis, life after loss of the mandible was more daunting than recovering from a fractured hip. The below paper from the responsible American professional assoication illustrates the situation as viewed from this side of the Pond. Of course the medical doctors view the situation in a light that favors their practise of medicine. So, it's up to patients to sort things out as it applies to their situations. http://www.aaoms.org/docs/position_papers/osteonecrosis.pdf > Consequently there has been fairly extensive study of patients who have > had both advanced breast cancer and major dental surgery, which I would [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > world there can't be that many who -haven't- had a root canal or similar > dental work done at some time. Probably the data is in there, but I think it would require someone going through the data with the specific question in mind to see if there was a correlation. These thing rarely just "pop out" at you. I am not saying there is a link, and correlation does not equal causation. However, for example, if a statistically significant number of women who have breast cancer also have root canals, it would be cause for further study. In the West there is a growing incidence of root canal treatment and a growing incidence of breast cancer (although much more treatable than before). Curious minds want to know. oh for HEAVENS SAKE!!! >> Consequently there has been fairly extensive study of patients who have >> had both advanced breast cancer and major dental surgery, which I would [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > a growing incidence of breast cancer (although much more treatable than > before). Curious minds want to know. |
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