A new study finds that chronic gum disease could lead to elevated future tongue cancer risks in men. So, instead of just brushing those teeth, be sure and massage and clean those gums. Oh, did I forget to mention flossing?

Periodontitis -- aka, gum disease -- was looked at in this study insofar as studying the amount of bone loss in tooth cavities. Conclusions? Men with tongue cancer had significantly more bone loss in tooth cavities than those without tongue cancer.

After the results were studied, the researchers believed that certain periodontal bacteria may be so toxic as to lead to tongue (oral) cancer. Moral of the story (for everyone) here: make sure that you treat that mouth to a good cleaning a few times a day with brushing and flossing.

John Diamond was a British journalist who died from tongue cancer in 2001. He wrote a book called Because Cowards Get Cancer Too: A Hypochondriac Confronts his Nemesis.

This book is different than your normal cancer read. I say that because of John Diamond's wit and intelligence when writing about his cancer experience. His sarcasm when it came to things like people telling him that he was brave was right on. He didn't think he was brave for going through cancer treatments, he thought that it was his only choice, something he had to do. This book is a realistic look at things that were going on around him and within him. John, you and I are definitely on the same page!

I have already read this book twice and when I find it I'm going to read it again.

According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 300,000 people worldwide are newly diagnosed with oral cancer. In the US alone, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. Oral cancers are a group of cancers which fall into the head and neck cancer category, commonly known as mouth cancer, tongue cancer, and throat cancer. When oral cancer is diagnosed early, there can be a 90 percent survival rate. However, the majority of oral cancers are not diagnosed until the cancer has progressed, accounting for the very high death rate. Oral cancer detection is usually made by a dentist.

A promising simple test, a saliva test for oral cancer, may be in the works. UCLA School of Dentistry scientists in Dr. David Wong's laboratory have developed the Saliva RNA Test for Oral Cancer. The test has been highly accurate in detecting oral cancer, at around 82 percent. This is the first standardized saliva-based test for clinical oral cancer detection and will have enormous clinical value in reducing the mortality and morbidity for oral cancer patients, as well as improving quality of life.