The daily habit that could triple your risk of one of Australia’s deadliest cancers

The daily habit that could triple your risk of one of Australia’s deadliest cancers

There’s a simple daily habit that most of us don’t think twice about - but neglecting it could quietly increase your risk of one of the deadliest cancers in Australia.

New research has found that poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing or flossing properly, may more than triple your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This cancer has been called the “silent killer” - not because it’s rare, but because it’s incredibly hard to detect early and often spreads before symptoms appear.

A major study published in the journal Gut by researchers from NYU Langone Health analysed mouth bacteria from over 100,000 participants. They discovered that people with high levels of bacteria linked to gum disease — particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans — were up to 59% more likely to later develop pancreatic cancer.

These bacteria don’t just stay in your mouth. Scientists believe they can travel through the bloodstream or digestive tract, creating chronic inflammation in the pancreas. Over time, that inflammation can damage cells and raise the risk of cancerous changes.

Why this matters so much for women

Pancreatic cancer affects both men and women, but women often experience delayed diagnosis because symptoms can mimic hormonal or digestive changes - especially during perimenopause and menopause. Fatigue, bloating, changes in appetite, or unexplained weight loss are symptoms women might dismiss as hormonal or stress-related.

For women over 40, this overlap can lead to late detection — and that’s why awareness is so critical. In Australia, around 4,825 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and nearly 4,000 die from it annually - one of the highest death rates of any cancer. The five-year survival rate remains around 13–14%, compared with more than 90% for early-detected breast cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is especially dangerous because it grows quietly. The pancreas sits deep behind other organs, so tumours can go unnoticed until they start pressing on nearby nerves or organs, at which point, surgery may no longer be an option.

Warning signs women should look out for

Most symptoms of pancreatic cancer are subtle and can appear unrelated. However, staying alert to persistent or unusual changes can make a life-saving difference.

Key signs to watch include:

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or pale stools

  • Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen or middle back, sometimes worsening after eating

  • Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

  • New or worsening diabetes, especially without clear cause

  • Fatigue, nausea, or indigestion

  • Floating, greasy, or pale stools

  • Blood clots in the legs or sudden shortness of breath

If any of these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, it’s important to see your GP and ask about imaging or blood tests. Early detection can dramatically improve survival rates.

How inflammation, hormones, and the gut are connected

At Zing Wellbeing, we talk a lot about inflammation, because it’s at the root of so many modern health issues, from weight gain and fatigue to hormonal imbalance and chronic disease.

Pancreatic cancer is closely linked with inflammation too. Long-term inflammation in the body, whether caused by gum disease, poor diet, stress, or digestive imbalances, can damage cells and make the environment more favourable for cancer growth.

For women, declining oestrogen during perimenopause and menopause can also influence inflammation and metabolic health. Oestrogen helps regulate insulin, blood sugar, and fat storage - all of which play a role in pancreatic and metabolic health.

That’s why post-menopausal women who are overweight, have type 2 diabetes, or smoke have a higher risk.

What women can do to lower their risk

While no one can eliminate the risk completely, there’s a lot women can do to significantly reduce it:

1. Look after your oral health
Brush twice daily, floss, and see your dentist for regular check-ups. Gum disease is an inflammatory condition — treating it lowers not only dental risk but systemic inflammation too.

2. Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet
Eat more plants, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, nuts, and fish. Limit processed foods, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Studies show that Mediterranean-style diets can lower inflammation and cancer risk.

3. Support your gut microbiome
Your gut bacteria influence immune health and inflammation levels. Include probiotic foods (like yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, or sauerkraut) and prebiotic fibres (like oats, chia seeds, garlic, and SunFiber® — found in Zing’s Gut Formula).

4. Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity increases insulin resistance and inflammation - both of which are risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Strength training, walking, and eating protein-rich meals help balance metabolism, especially during midlife.

5. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for pancreatic cancer, doubling your risk. Even moderate alcohol intake can harm the pancreas over time, so moderation matters.

6. Manage stress and get quality sleep
Chronic stress raises cortisol and inflammation, weakening immune defences. Daily relaxation, mindfulness, and good sleep hygiene can help reduce systemic stress and protect long-term health.

A message of empowerment

Pancreatic cancer is serious, but awareness is your strongest defence. By taking charge of your oral, gut, and metabolic health, you can dramatically lower inflammation and protect your body from disease.

At Zing Wellbeing, we believe prevention is empowerment. Your daily choices — what you eat, how you move, how you rest — all influence your long-term vitality. Every small action counts.

Brush your teeth. Nourish your gut. Eat real food. Strengthen your body. Manage your stress. Because when you care for your health from the inside out, you’re not just lowering your cancer risk - you’re building resilience, energy, and a body that thrives.

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