A Bacterial Link | Cancer Today

A growing body of research indicates that a healthy diet—rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fiber—may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of colorectal cancer. A study published in the July 2017 issue of JAMA Oncology suggests that diet may influence colorectal cancer risk by affecting the bacteria in the gut.

The study tracked the diets of more than 137,000 people enrolled in the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. During 2​6 to 32 years of follow-up, 3,260 people developed colorectal cancer. Researchers were able to analyze the microbial content of the tumors of 1,019 of these participants.

People following a diet rich in whole grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables, referred to as a prudent diet, had a reduced risk of developing colorectal tumors containing Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium that has been linked to both inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Read More | Cancer Today