MedicalXPress — 27 January 2022
Scientists from The University of Aberdeen, NHS Grampian and Queen’s University Belfast have found that antibiotic use may increase the risk of developing colon cancer, potentially more so among younger people. The study of almost 40,000 people compared antibiotic use and lifestyle factors of those who had colorectal cancer and those who didn’t. While no relationship was found with rectal cancer, antibiotic use was found to be associated with the development of colon cancer. Researchers also found for the first time that antibiotic use was linked with an estimated 50 percent higher risk of colon cancer in people aged under 50, and an estimated 9 percent higher risk in those 50 and over.
Lead researcher Sarah Perrott explains: “Antibiotic use is very common, and it is important to note that not everyone who uses antibiotics will get bowel cancer. However, while invaluable in medicine, antibiotics should be used appropriately and only when necessary.” Reasons behind this link are believed to be due to the impact of antibiotics on the natural diversity of bacteria within the gut microbiome, which can potentially lead to altered bacterial activity and interfere with normal immune function, causing chronic inflammation and theoretically increasing cancer risk.
Senior author Dr Leslie Samuel, Consultant GI Oncologist in NHS Grampian, noted: “We are seeing more cases where people under 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer — a disease traditionally seen in older people. The gut microbiome comprises a delicate balance of bacteria and disruption to that — be it from lifestyle factors or from repeated use of antibiotics — can have very serious consequences.” The team suggest that prescribing of antibiotics should be considered very carefully, and that probiotic supplements could be useful to counteract the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. This study was published in the British Journal of Cancer and funded by Cancer Research UK.