March is National Colorectal Awareness Month, and to increase your knowledge of colorectal cancer, Bel Marra Health has amassed a group of articles featuring information on IBD, blood pressure, and colon cancer.
Enzyme may prevent tumor growth in colorectal cancer
Researchers have found that an enzyme associated with inflammation may be effective in suppressing tumor and ulcer growth in colitis-associated cancer—a form of colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is driven by chronic inflammation, and while some inflammation is a healthy response to damaged tissue or pathogens, when left unregulated it can cause malignant cells to form in the tissue that could potentially become cancer. The enzyme is called matrix-metalloproteinase, or MMP9, and has been found to suppress tumor growth within colitis-associated cancer caused by chronic inflammation.
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While the activity of MMP9 is normally undetectable in healthy adult tissues, it is seen as highly active in a number of different inflammatory states. It can be found most active within the epithelial cells that make up the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which is the origin of most colorectal cancers. To determine whether the MMP9 found in epithelial cells function defensively in the instance of colitis-associated cancer, researchers studied its role in both humans and mice. Continue reading…
IBD-related colorectal cancer risk raised by chronic inflammation, immunosuppressive therapy
Inflammatory bowel disease-related colorectal cancer risk is raised by chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive therapy. The review was conducted by Dr. Laurent Beaugerie from Hôpital Saint-Antoine in Paris and Dr. Steven H. Itzkowitz from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
In the news release, the researchers said, “Among the chronic inflammatory diseases that often require the prolonged use of immunosuppressants, [inflammatory bowel disease] is an intriguing model because immunosuppressants may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related cancers through their anti-inflammatory effects or promote immunosuppression-related cancers.” Continue reading…
Hereditary colorectal cancer: Detection of genetic mutations now improved
New research suggests strategies to overcome technological limitations to more accurately detect PMS2—a genetic mutation that plays a role in Lynch syndrome, which can lead to colorectal cancer (more commonly known as colon cancer). This can help better diagnose cases of colon cancer and offer more effective treatment.
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary colorectal cancer susceptibility syndrome. Blood relatives of those with Lynch syndrome have a 50 percent chance of developing cancer. PMS2s role in Lynch syndrome has been greatly underestimated due to technological limitations.
Researchers have uncovered a new means of more accurately detecting PMS2. Researchers developed a three-part strategy of which co-investigator Victor Wei Zhang said, “The results from three methods serve as cross validation for enhanced accuracy and reduced turn-around time.” Continue reading…
Blood pressure and colon cancer risk may be lowered with vegetarian diet: Study
Blood pressure and colon cancer risk may be lowered with a vegetarian diet. The researchers analyzed seven clinical trials and 32 studies where participants consumed a vegetarian diet. The researchers measured differences in blood pressure associated with eating a vegetarian diet.
The researchers found that adhering to a vegetarian diet was associated with reduced systolic blood pressure along with reduced diastolic blood pressure when compared to eating a plant and animal (omnivorous) diet.
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The researchers concluded, “Further studies are required to clarify which types of vegetarian diets are most strongly associated with lower BP [blood pressure]. Research into the implementation of such diets, either as public health initiatives aiming at prevention of hypertension or in clinical settings, would also be of great potential value.” Continue reading…
6 ways to lower your risk of colon cancer
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death. Nutritionists and cancer experts have compiled a list of six tips that can help reduce your risk of colon cancer. Alice Bender, head of nutrition programs at the American Institute for Cancer Research, said in a news release, “Research now suggests that 50 percent of colorectal cancers in the United States are preventable each year through diet, weight, and physical activity. That’s about 67,200 cases every year.” Continue reading…
Related: Ulcerative colitis complications: Arthritis, uveitis, osteoporosis, and colon cancer
