There is a clear risk of those taking antibiotics developing colon cancer within the next decade, researchers say. This is according to a new study from Umeå University in Sweden, which confirmed 40,000 cases of cancer. In addition, the study authors assume that the effects ofantibiotic drugs on the intestinal microbiomebehind the increased risk of cancer.
Taking antibiotics regularly and unknowingly increasing your risk of cancer
The new study results underline that there are many reasons to be restrictive with antibiotics. While in many cases antibiotic therapy is necessary and saves lives, caution is advised in less serious complaints that are expected to heal anyway. This could prevent bacteria from developing antibiotic resistance. As this research shows, this is primarily because it can increase the risk of future colon cancer. The researchers found that both women and men who took antibiotics for six months had a 17 percent higher risk of colon cancer. This type of cancer develops in the ascending first part of the large intestine, which can be reached with food after the small intestine. However, they found no changes in the descending colon. To understand how antibiotics increase risk, researchers also studied a non-antibiotic bactericidal drug for urinary tract infections that does not affect the microbiome.
There was no difference in the incidence of colon cancer among those who used non-antibiotic medications. The study results suggest that the effect of antibiotics on the microbiome significantly increases the risk of cancer. While the present study only covers oral antibiotics, even intravenous antibiotic agents can affect the gut microbiota in the intestinal system. However, according to the study authors, there is absolutely no reason to be concerned just because people are taking antibiotics. The increase in risk is usually moderate and the impact on the absolute risk to the individual is relatively small. In any future research it is afterthis studyimportant to take part so that cancer can be detected early or even prevented, as pre-cancerous lesions can sometimes be removed.
