A new study indicates that taking antibiotics regularly for two years or more can increase the risk of developing bowel cancer.

The research, conducted at Johns Hopkins University and published in the journal Gut, suggests that the medication could alter the microbiome of the gut, contributing to the development of colorectal cancer.

The study’s findings

The researchers analyzed medical data from 28,980 people with colorectal cancer and 137,077 people without cancer. They found that antibiotic use for two months or more was linked to a 17% increase in the risk of developing bowel cancer.

The risk increased with greater use of antibiotics, rising to 24% for those who had used the medication for over two years.

The study also found that the risk of colorectal cancer remained elevated for up to five years after a person stopped taking antibiotics. This suggests that the effects of antibiotics on the microbiome may be long-lasting.

Why antibiotics could be linked to bowel cancer

The microbiome is a complex network of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the gut. These microbes perform a range of functions, including aiding digestion, producing vitamins, and regulating the immune system.

Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, including those within the microbiome. While this can be necessary to treat bacterial infections, the medication can also disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, affecting the way it works.

Previous research has linked changes in the microbiome to a range of health problems, including obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer.

Researchers believe that antibiotics could contribute to the development of bowel cancer by altering the microbiome in a way that allows cancerous cells to thrive.

What the findings mean

The findings of the study suggest that regular use of antibiotics over a prolonged period could be a risk factor for colorectal cancer.

While taking antibiotics is sometimes necessary to treat bacterial infections, overuse of the medication should be avoided.

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for conditions that are not caused by bacteria, such as viral infections.

In these cases, taking antibiotics is not only ineffective, but it can also harm the microbiome and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The study’s authors recommend that antibiotics should only be used when necessary, and that the risks and benefits of the medication should be carefully considered.

Other risk factors for bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world, and is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. There are a variety of factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease, including:.

Age – the risk of bowel cancer increases with age
Lifestyle factors, including a diet high in red or processed meat, smoking, and heavy drinking
Family history of colorectal cancer
Conditions that affect the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease
Sedentary lifestyle

The best way to reduce the risk of bowel cancer is to make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and increasing physical activity.

Screening for the disease is also important, as it can detect early signs of cancer when treatment is most effective.

Conclusion

The use of antibiotics over a prolonged period has been linked to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, according to a new study.

The findings suggest that antibiotics could alter the microbiome of the gut in a way that contributes to the development of colorectal cancer.

While antibiotics can be necessary to treat bacterial infections, overuse of the medication should be avoided.

The study’s authors recommend that antibiotics should only be used when necessary, and that the risks and benefits of the medication should be carefully considered.

Reducing the risk of bowel cancer involves making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and increasing physical activity.

Screening for the disease is also important, as it can detect early signs of cancer when treatment is most effective.