Photo by Folco Masi on Unsplash

Mouth Microbiome and Colon Cancer: Is There a Link?

SCIENTISTS RECENTLY DISCOVERED A SURPRISING TWIST with a common bacteria, linking one of two strains to colon cancer.

I am a cancer doctor and a bit of a nerd, so I couldn’t resist writing a short basic science essay.

I am delighted that we are increasing our understanding of colorectal cancer.

Removal of a colonic polyp with an electrical wire loop during a colonoscopy — 3d illustration. Adobe Stock Photos.

Colon Cancer Statistics

Colon cancer is the second biggest killer of cancer in adults (right behind lung cancer) in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

Moreover, there is this disturbing finding: Colon cancer rates are on the rise, especially in younger adults:

• Younger Adults at Higher Risk: The percentage of people under 55 diagnosed with colon cancer has nearly doubled between 1995 and 2019, leaping from 11 to 20 percent of cases.
• Later Diagnoses: These cancers are often diagnosed at later stages when they are more aggressive and harder to treat in young adults.

Let’s turn to new research findings that hopefully will lead to better colorectal cancer management tools.