2 weeks Ago By Ben Hurst,Charlie Bradley
Your risk of getting bowel cancer can be reduced if you eat one thing for breakfast every day, experts say. Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, explained on The Conversation Website how yoghurt could provide you with the health boost you need. His comments come as doctors find that colorectal cancer cases have doubled for those aged under 55, and ultra-processed foods may have played a big part.
Mr Stebbing said: "The emerging evidence suggests that regular yoghurt consumption may have a protective effect against certain aggressive forms of colorectal cancer by modifying the gut microbiome, the natural bacteria that live in the gut. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing digestion, immune function and even cancer risk. "The gut bacteria can live inside cancer itself, and in general, a healthy balance of these bacteria is thought to be essential for maintaining a strong immune system and preventing inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development.
” The expert explained that yoghurt can help reduce the chances of getting a specific type of aggressive colorectal cancer, as bowel cancer is also known, which occurs on the right side of the colon. He added: "The study found that consuming two or more servings of yoghurt per week was associated with a lower risk of a specific type of aggressive colorectal cancer, which occurs on the right side of the colon and is associated with poorer survival outcomes compared with cancers on the left side.” The study, using 150,000 participants, showed that long-term yoghurt consumption can change the gut microbiome in ways that can protect against some cancers.
Researchers measured how much Bifidobacterium (a type of bacteria found in yoghurt) was in the tumour tissue of participants every two years. They found that those who ate two or more servings of yoghurt per week had a lower risk of developing “Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer." A Cancer Research study last year found that cases in young people are rising more sharply in England than in many other countries around the world.
England averages a 3.6% increase each year for cases among 25-49 year-olds. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “This flagship study reveals that increasing rates of early onset bowel cancer, affecting adults aged 25 to 49, is a global issue.
“Concerningly, this research has revealed for the first time ever that rates are rising more sharply in England than in many other countries around the world. “A cancer diagnosis at any age has a huge impact on patients and their families – so while it’s important to note that rates in younger adults are still very low compared to people over 50, we need to understand what’s causing this trend in younger people.”.
