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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 4/2010

01-04-2010 | Original Paper

Oral health and risk for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Study

Authors: Kimon Divaris, Andrew F. Olshan, Joanna Smith, Mary E. Bell, Mark C. Weissler, William K. Funkhouser, Patrick T. Bradshaw

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

Objective

Recent reports have linked oral health and periodontal disease indicators with increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). Thus far, evidence has been inconclusive; our objective was to study the association between oral health and SCCHN risk in the context of a large population-based study.

Methods

A population-based case–control study of incident SCCHN, the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Study was carried out in 2002–2006 in 46 counties in North Carolina. Controls (n = 1,361) were frequency matched with cases (n = 1,289) on age, race, and gender. Oral health was assessed using interview data on tooth loss and mobility, mouthwash use, and frequency of dental visits.

Results

Subjects were 26–80 years old (median age = 61). The distribution of tooth loss among controls was 0–5 teeth = 60%; 5–14 = 15%; and 16–28 = 25%. After controlling for covariates, tooth loss did not yield any notable association with SCCHN (16–28 vs. 0–5 lost teeth: OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.56). Self-reported history of tooth mobility was moderately associated with increased SCCHN risk (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.65); however, the association did not persist among never smokers. Routine dental visits were associated with 30% risk reduction (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.87).

Conclusions

These data provide support for a possible modest association of periodontal disease, as measured by self-reported tooth loss indicators, but not tooth loss per se, with SCCHN risk.
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Metadata
Title
Oral health and risk for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Study
Authors
Kimon Divaris
Andrew F. Olshan
Joanna Smith
Mary E. Bell
Mark C. Weissler
William K. Funkhouser
Patrick T. Bradshaw
Publication date
01-04-2010
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-009-9486-9

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