H. pylori link to colorectal cancer observed, with important caveats

H. pylori link to colorectal cancer observed, with important caveats

H. pylori link to colorectal cancer observed, with important caveats

A new review of the evidence finds that infection with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori is repeatedly linked in observational studies to colorectal tumours, but a direct causal link in people has not been established. Pooled studies put the odds of colorectal cancer about 59 percent higher among infected people, yet the review warns that differences in how infection was measured, in populations studied, and in other lifestyle factors limit what can be concluded. It also says infection status alone is not yet a basis for changing colorectal screening, and that clearing the infection has not been shown to prevent colorectal cancer. Longer, better-designed studies are still needed to settle the question.

A new review of the evidence finds that infection with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori is repeatedly linked in observational studies to colorectal tumours, but a direct causal link in people has not been established. Pooled studies put the odds of colorectal cancer about 59 percent higher among infected people, yet the review warns that differences in how infection was measured, in populations studied, and in other lifestyle factors limit what can be concluded. It also says infection status alone is not yet a basis for changing colorectal screening, and that clearing the infection has not been shown to prevent colorectal cancer. Longer, better-designed studies are still needed to settle the question.

A new review of the evidence finds that infection with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori is repeatedly linked in observational studies to colorectal tumours, but a direct causal link in people has not been established. Pooled studies put the odds of colorectal cancer about 59 percent higher among infected people, yet the review warns that differences in how infection was measured, in populations studied, and in other lifestyle factors limit what can be concluded. It also says infection status alone is not yet a basis for changing colorectal screening, and that clearing the infection has not been shown to prevent colorectal cancer. Longer, better-designed studies are still needed to settle the question.