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Antibiotics can increase the risk of colon cancer. Exactly some part of it. The new study was conducted in Sweden on a large group of people, 40 to be exact. Thanks to it, we know by how many years the disease process can accelerate.
- Previous studies have shown that indeed antibiotics can cause permanent changes in the gut microbiome (microbiome), which may increase the risk of colon cancer
- Scientists now report that the increased risk may affect a specific section of the colon
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
The latest study shows that after antibiotics, the risk of colon cancer is higher
According to a new study from Sweden, over 40 In cancer patients, taking antibiotics may increase the risk of colon cancer by five to ten years. It found that people who took antibiotics for more than six months were 17 percent more likely to develop colon cancer. higher than in those who did not take them. It is a certain section of the colon. This is called the proximal (ascending) colon, which is the fragment where it joins the small intestine. It’s the right, lower abdomen.
According to a researcher at the Swedish University of Umeå, Sophie Harlid is another reason to limit the prescription of antibiotics. In addition to the existing one, which is to prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Similar research in Great Britain
In 2019, in the UK, similar research results were published in the journal «Gut», but on a smaller sample. This may give credence to a recent Swedish study, although the researchers do make a caveat. Antibiotics may cause some susceptibility to the development of the disease, but are not its immediate cause. What is it really about?
Prof. Cynthia Sears, an oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, explained in an interview with Live Science that antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiota, which means that bad bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are not being treated by good microbes (which is what usually happens). This in turn can increase inflammation in the colon and reactivate chemicals that can damage DNA and thus cause cancer.
Perform intestinal microflora tests. You will obtain a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the bacteria, fungi and molds that inhabit the digestive tract. The test is available in Medonet Market, the result within 14 working days.
“In addition, the inner lining of the gut can then become more permeable, allowing bacteria to penetrate the walls of the colon and assemble into mucilaginous structures called biofilms. Research suggests that almost all cancers of the proximal colon (almost 90%) are associated with such biofilms »- emphasized prof. Sears.
She added that the proximal colon may be particularly sensitive to these changes because it is most susceptible to the absorption of antibiotics from the small intestine. Then, as the drugs pass through the colon, the molecules gradually break down.
She noted that these potential mechanisms still require further research, although the latest research reinforces the argument that there is some link between antibiotics and colon cancer.
Some details from the latest study
The latest study used data from the Swedish Bowel Cancer Registry to identify colorectal cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2016. Data from the Swedish prescription drug registry enabled the team to track exactly what antibiotics they were taking between 2005 and 2016. All this to spot some correlation. It has been established that there is a link between antibiotics and cancer, but the study still has its limitations.
For example, the datasets did not contain any information about an individual’s diet, smoking or alcohol consumption habits, which may also increase the risk of colon cancer. Likewise, the authors were unable to determine which patients could be taking antibiotics for an underlying disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, also associated with colon cancer. In addition, the Swedish prescription drug registry provides information on drug prescriptions, but cannot reflect, for example, whether an individual has completed a full course of antibiotics.
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