Expanding Bacterial Infection Likened to a Progressive Colon Cancer Saga
Helicobacter Pylori: Beyond Gastritis and a Link to Colorectal Cancer
Helicobacter pylori, a prevalent bacteria known for residing in the stomach and small intestine, has been long associated with conditions such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. However, recent findings suggest that this bacterium could have a more significant impact on one's health - notably, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer.
Gastritis, characterized by pain under the ribs, indigestion, nausea, and sometimes vomiting and weight loss, is a common consequence of Helicobacter pylori infections. In severe, untreated cases, this bacteria can lead to gastric cancer. But now, research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that the reach of Helicobacter pylori may extend further down the gastrointestinal tract, raising the risk of deadly colorectal cancer.
The bacteria's primary residence in the stomach is just one stop in its journey through the digestive system, extending through the gastrointestinal tract. This factor prompted researchers from the University of California San Diego and VA San Diego Healthcare System to investigate whether Helicobacter pylori could also play a role in colorectal cancer.
Through a retrospective cohort study conducted among U.S. military veterans who underwent Helicobacter pylori testing from 1999 through 2018, the researchers found a strong link between the bacteria and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Specifically, individuals with a Helicobacter pylori infection were not only at an 18 percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, but they also faced a 12 percent increased risk of death from the cancer.
Treatment for a Helicobacter pylori infection is available and contributes significantly to reducing the risk of colon cancer. The study results showed that antibiotic treatment effectively reduced the risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer death by a magnitude similar to that of regular colonoscopy screening. For those with an Helicobacter pylori infection, prompt treatment could provide relief from stomach discomfort and ulcers, and potentially protect against colon cancer.
In addition to medical treatment, certain natural remedies have been found to reduce Helicobacter pylori presence in the gastrointestinal tract. Research published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology has identified probiotics, broccoli sprouts, green tea, honey, licorice, and red wine as promising natural remedies. Moderation is advised, particularly with the last two items.
Drinking cranberry juice twice daily for eight weeks has been shown to result in a 20 percent reduction in Helicobacter pylori infection rates, according to scientists at the Department of Cancer Epidemiology at Peking University Cancer Hospital. Kefir, rich in beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus kefiri) and carbohydrate (Kefiran), is another natural remedy with proven antibacterial properties.
While further research is needed to establish a definitive causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori and colorectal cancer, understanding the potential association could lead to improved prevention, detection, and treatment strategies for colorectal cancer.
- The link between Helicobacter pylori and colorectal cancer, as suggested by recent scientific findings, emphasizes the importance of exploring natural remedies like probiotics, broccoli sprouts, green tea, honey, licorice, and red wine for managing Helicobacter pylori infections, which could potentially reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, traditional medical treatments for Helicobacter pylori infections, such as antibiotics, significantly contribute to the reduction of the risk of colon cancer and colorectal cancer death, implications that are similar to those associated with regular colonoscopy screening.
- Chronic diseases like colorectal cancer pose a threat to public health, and the ongoing research into the role of Helicobacter pylori in these medical-conditions could pave the way for innovative prevention, detection, and treatment strategies for chronic diseases, offering hope for a healthier future.
