Half of people have this bacterium: scientists have discovered a hidden threat

Scientists have discovered a possible link between the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, carried by about half of the world's population, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. An analysis of data from nearly 49 million people showed that infected individuals are diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer 1.6 times more often, but a causal relationship has not yet been established.

Scientists have discovered a possible link between the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, carried by about half of the world's population, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. A large-scale analysis of data from nearly 49 million people, based on 43 previously conducted studies, showed that people with signs of this infection were diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer approximately 1.6 times more often. Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, Justin Stebbing, drew attention to the results of the analysis published by the Mirror. Initial calculations by the researchers showed that about 22% of colorectal cancer cases worldwide could potentially be linked to H. pylori infection. However, after limiting the analysis to 14 population and cohort studies, the estimate dropped to approximately 12%. Scientists emphasize that the discovered statistical association does not allow them to assert that the bacterium directly causes intestinal cancer, since numerous factors influence the likelihood of developing the disease, including age, heredity, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body weight. The results of observations of patients undergoing treatment for Helicobacter pylori are mixed: some studies showed a lower incidence of colorectal cancer in those who cleared the infection, but randomized trials failed to find a statistically significant effect. The author of the material is Tomer Adoni.