Doctors from the UK National Health Service (NHS) have found that bad breath may be a sign of a mutation in the SELENBP1 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer. This was reported by Pronews.gr.
Bad breath that accompanies the development of certain diseases is called halitosis. This is a symptom that may indicate problems in the mouth or throughout the body. In particular, bad breath may be the first manifestation of laryngeal cancer. In addition to halitosis, warning signs of the disease include: a feeling of a lump in the throat, hoarseness, frequent cough, difficulty breathing, weight loss and chronic fatigue.
A more accurate marker of cancer was identified during the experiment. Scientists have found that patients with halitosis have increased levels of methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide (sulfur compounds that give bad breath) in the exhaled air. It turned out that these compounds are associated with a mutation in the SELENBP1 gene, which is responsible for the breakdown of sulfur and suppression of tumor growth. Disturbances in the functioning of this gene can increase the risk of developing cancer.
