While many of us are becoming more aware of the importance of gut health for digestion and overall well-being, the connection to cancer risk is an area of ongoing research and growing understanding. The trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms residing in your gut, collectively known as the gut microbiome, play an important role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Emerging research suggests a potential link between gut health and cancer development, and here’s what we know.1,5
How Gut Health Influences Cancer Risk
The gut microbiome influences cancer risk through several ways:
- Inflammation: An imbalance in gut bacteria, called dysbiosis, can trigger chronic inflammation in the gut. This inflammation can damage DNA and promote the growth of cancerous cells.2,3
- Metabolic (waste) byproducts: Gut bacteria produce various compounds, some of which can be harmful. Think of it like pollution. These byproducts can sometimes increase cancer risk, like in the colon.
- Immunity: Our gut and immune system are closely linked. A healthy gut helps our body’s defense system recognize and fight off bad cells. When things are unbalanced, our defenses might weaken.6
Types of Cancer Linked to Gut Health
While research is ongoing, several types of cancer have been linked to gut health.
- Colorectal cancer: The strongest evidence exists for colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that specific gut bacteria can promote inflammation and DNA damage in the colon, increasing cancer risk.4
- Gastric cancer: Some studies suggest a link between gut bacteria and gastric cancer, especially when there’s long-term inflammation.
- Liver cancer: Our gut plays a role in inflammation and how our bodies process things, which can affect the liver.
- Other cancers: Emerging research suggests potential links between gut health and other cancers, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer, but more studies are needed.
Factors Affecting Gut Health
Several factors can influence the balance of your gut, including:
- Diet: A diet high in processed foods, red meat, and saturated fats can disrupt the gut microbiome, while a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber promotes a healthy balance.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones, potentially leading to dysbiosis (imbalance in gut bacteria) and increasing cancer risk.
- Lifestyle factors: Stress, lack of exercise, and smoking can also negatively impact gut health.
Maintaining a Healthy Gut
While more research is needed to fully understand the link between gut health and cancer, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome may help reduce your risk.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, leafy greens, and broccoli, as well as fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts, and eat lean proteins. Limit processed foods, red meat, and saturated fats.
- Include probiotics and prebiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that feed these bacteria.
- Manage stress: Practice relaxation techniques like mindful breathing, meditation, or yoga.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking damages the gut microbiome and increases cancer risk.
Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on maintaining gut health and reducing your cancer risk.
References
- Ciernikova S, Sevcikova A, Mladosievicova B, Mego M. Microbiome in Cancer Development and Treatment. Microorganisms. 2023 Dec 22;12(1):24. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12010024. PMID: 38257851; PMCID: PMC10819529.
- “Chronic Inflammation and Cancer: What’s the Connection? | Fox Chase Cancer Center – Philadelphia PA.” Www.foxchase.org, 13 Nov. 2019, www.foxchase.org/blog/chronic-inflammation-and-cancer-whats-connection.
- DeGruttola AK, Low D, Mizoguchi A, Mizoguchi E. Current Understanding of Dysbiosis in Disease in Human and Animal Models. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2016 May;22(5):1137-50. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000750. PMID: 27070911; PMCID: PMC4838534.
- Kim J, Lee HK. Potential Role of the Gut Microbiome In Colorectal Cancer Progression. Front Immunol. 2022 Jan 7;12:807648. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.807648. PMID: 35069592; PMCID: PMC8777015.
- National Institutes of Health. “NIH Human Microbiome Project Defines Normal Bacterial Makeup of the Body.” National Institutes of Health (NIH), 13 June 2012, www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-human-microbiome-project-defines-normal-bacterial-makeup-body
- Pesheva, Ekaterina. “To Boost Cancer Immunotherapy’s Fighting Power, Look to the Gut | Harvard Medical School.” Hms.harvard.edu, 3 May 2023, hms.harvard.edu/news/boost-cancer-immunotherapys-fighting-power-look-gut.
- Phelan J. P., Reen F. Jerry, Caparros-Martin J. A., O’Connor R., O’Gara F. Rethinking the bile acid/gut microbiome axis in cancer. Oncotarget. 2017; 8: 115736-115747. Retrieved from https://www.oncotarget.com/article/22803/text/
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