Cancer: Scientists find 'microbial link' between one popular diet and the deadly disease - Express

The new study suggests intestinal microbiota may be at the heart of the association between the Western diet and colon cancer.

The findings reinforce previous research linking a Western-style diet - rich in processed meat, sugar, refined grains and carbohydrates - to the disease.

The corresponding author of the study, Shuji Ogino, said: “These findings support our hypothesis that Western-style diets increase colorectal cancer risk through its effects on pks E.coli.

Our next question is which component of western-style diet and lifestyle relates to colorectal cancer containing this bacterial species.".

The team found that the Western diet was associated with colorectal tumours containing high amounts of pks+E.coli, but not tumours containing little to no amount of pks+E.coli.

The American Cancer Society explains: “Diets that include lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colon or rectal cancer.

“Also, eat less red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats), which have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.".