Saturday May 3, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in International Journal of Cancer suggests that intra-abdominal infection and use of antianaerobic antibiotics may increase risk of colorectal cancer, at least in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The study of 3,593 cases of colon cancer, 1,979 cases of rectal cancer and 22,288 controls identified in a diabetic cohort shows that intra-abdominal infection was associated with 201% inceased risk of colon cancer and 59% increased risk of rectal cancer.

The study led by Jou-Wei Lin at National Taiwan University Hospital  in Taiwan and colleagues also finds that among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, use of antianaerobic antibiotics was correlated with a 131% elevated risk of colon cancer  and 69% increased risk of rectal cancer.   But no dose-response relationship was found between use of antibiotics and risk of colorectal cancer.

Antianaerobic antibiotics were also associated with  increased risks in those with non-intra-abdominal infection. 

However, use of antiaerobic antibiotics was not correlated with colorectal cancer risk although use of antiinaerobic antibiotics was linked to elevated risk of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  

The study suggests that change in the microbiota in the colon induced either by infection or antibiotics may increase risk of colorectal cancer.

The researchers concluded "The results suggest intra-abdominal infections and antianaerobic antibiotic use may be a marker for precancerous lesions or early CRC (colorectal cancer), although the possibility of antianaerobic antibiotics playing an additional role cannot be excluded."

The researchers also suggested that research need to be performed to examine the relationship between intra-abdominal infection, use of antianaerobic antibiotics and possible change of microbiota in the colon leading to colorectal carcinogenesis.

Patients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus are known to be at higher risk for colorectal cancer, the researchers reported.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented in many cases by simply using a low or no meat and high fiber diet, many studies suggest.

Early studies have found a link between use of antibiotics and risk of breast cancer.  (David Liu)

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