The use of antibiotics has long been debated due to the rise of antibiotic resistance. However, a new study has revealed a potential link between antibiotics and the development of bowel cancer.

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with around 42,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.

The study

The study, published in the journal Gut, analysed the medical records of more than 16,000 people with bowel cancer and compared them to over 80,000 people without bowel cancer.

The researchers found that those who had taken antibiotics for more than 10 days had a 17% increased risk of developing bowel cancer compared to those who had not taken antibiotics.

It is worth noting that this study only shows a potential association between antibiotics and bowel cancer, and further research is needed to confirm the link.

How could antibiotics lead to bowel cancer?

It is unclear exactly how antibiotics could lead to an increased risk of bowel cancer. However, it is thought that antibiotics may alter the composition of the gut microbiome, the population of bacteria living in the digestive system.

An imbalance in the gut microbiome has previously been linked to the development of bowel cancer.

Antibiotics are also known to have an impact on the immune system and inflammation, both of which have been linked to the development of cancer.

What can be done to reduce the risk?

Bowel cancer is a preventable cancer, and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk. This includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.

It is also important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, which include:.

blood in the stools
changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation
unexplained weight loss
abdominal pain or discomfort

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to your GP as soon as possible.

Final thoughts

While this study highlights a potential link between antibiotics and bowel cancer, more research is needed to confirm the association.

In the meantime, it is important to continue to use antibiotics responsibly to help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.