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New study finds link between common stomach bug exposure and bowel cancer
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- Exposure to Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium commonly causing stomach infections, is associated with a 1.59-fold increased risk of bowel cancer, according to a large international study analyzing data from over 48 million people.
- The research estimates that approximately 22% of bowel cancer cases worldwide could be linked to H. pylori exposure, with higher percentages observed in younger birth cohorts.
- While H. pylori is a known cause of stomach cancer, its connection to bowel cancer has been controversial; this study provides evidence supporting a significant association.
- Limited data suggests that eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics may reduce bowel cancer risk, but the protective effect appears only after a decade.
- Researchers call for high-quality, long-term prospective studies to confirm whether H. pylori eradication can causally lower colorectal cancer risk, which could inform prevention strategies, especially in regions with high infection rates.
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