#BowelCancer

A newly spotlighted bacterial toxin, colibactin—produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli)—may be fueling the worrying surge in bowel cancer among younger adults, according to groundbreaking research published in the journal Nature this April. With diagnoses of bowel cancer in individuals under age 50 rising sharply, experts are racing to unravel the factors behind this unexplained trend, which also affects Thai society as local incidence rates climb and public concern increases.

In a critical breakthrough for dietary health, incorporating yoghurt into your daily breakfast routine may significantly lower your risk of developing bowel cancer. This advice comes from Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, who shared his insights on The Conversation website. As colorectal cancer cases surge, particularly among individuals under 55, yoghurt emerges as a promising dietary intervention to counter this trend.

The alarming rise in colorectal cancer—more than doubling among younger populations—has been linked, in part, to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. However, recent research highlights the protective potential of yoghurt, which Professor Stebbing attributes to its beneficial effects on the gut microbiome. This complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract plays a pivotal role not only in digestion and immune function but also in mitigating cancer risks.