Metabolic disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases have been directly linked to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, according to a study by Flinders University researchers.
"As the global incidence of bowel cancer continues to rise, especially in younger adults, our findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing research to inform preventive strategies and health interventions aimed at reducing the terrible burden of this disease," explained lead author of a new study and PhD student, Meseret Molla. The research points to a growing concern that metabolic syndrome - a cluster of risk factors that together increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes - can also cause cancer.
"We found metabolic risk factors that are the hallmark of metabolic syndrome such as obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and low levels of 'good' cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were consistently linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer," said senior researcher, Dr Molla Wassie from Flinders University. "Our study supports the assertion that metabolic health conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance and high blood pressure put people at a higher risk of bowel cancer," added Wassie. "Importantly, we found that there is a need to address other health issues and that providing a more holistic approach is required for the prevention of bowel cancer in the population regardless of their age and gender.
The researchers reviewed data from 49 systematic reviews and meta-analysis to determine the association between metabolic health conditions, including metabolic syndrome and the risk of bowel cancer.
"While we encourage the uptake of the bowel cancer screening test, we'd also like to see people checking up on their own metabolic health. A simple annual blood test with your GP could flag some potential markers for future risk of bowel disease, such as high cholesterol, before they develop into something more onerous,” Wassie concluded. "In the future, we'd like to see prevention and control of metabolic health conditions used in conjunction with the screening program to improve bowel cancer outcomes," he adds.
The outcomes were reported in the paper, ‘Metabolic risk factors of colorectal cancer: Umbrella review’, published in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. To access this paper, please click here
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