Ellen Phiddian
Cosmos science journalist
Metabolic factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are linked to bowel cancer risk, according to a new review.
Researchers, who have published a study in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, suggest that metabolic health programs should be run in conjunction with bowel cancer screening.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, both worldwide and in Australia. While it’s still much more common among people over 45, an increasing number of young people are being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of conditions, including obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar, and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol). About 35% of Australians have it.
“Both problems are becoming common in developed countries, including Australia, regardless of age and sex,” says lead author Meseret Molla, a PhD student at Flinders University.
“Although previous studies have shown positive linkage, the diagnosis of metabolic diseases is not considered a criterion for screening or surveillance programs of bowel cancer,” Molla tells Cosmos.
“So we aimed to assess the risk of metabolic factors, which are the markers of metabolic syndrome and bowel cancer.”
The team analysed 49 previously published studies on metabolic factors and bowel cancer.
They found that most factors were linked to an increased likelihood of bowel cancer, although they couldn’t establish links for every metabolic factor (such as cholesterol levels).
While the researchers say that more longitudinal studies would provide better-quality data, they think this is sufficient evidence to combine screening and prevention of metabolic factors and bowel cancer.
“I believe that early monitoring and screening for metabolic issues may reduce the risk of getting all non-communicable diseases, including bowel cancer,” says Molla.
“Lifestyle modification, regular exercise, and avoiding junk food and ultra-processed foods are required to prevent and control metabolic health conditions.
“Integrating bowel cancer screening for metabolically affected individuals should also be promoted.”
