Study links Helicobacter pylori infection to a notable share of colorectal cancer cases
Researchers found that exposure to H. pylori bacteria is associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer, potentially accounting for about one-fifth of cases worldwide.
A collaborative analysis by experts from the University of Hong Kong and the University of California San Diego examined extensive reviews of prior research on H. pylori exposure and colorectal cancer. Drawing on data from 43 studies covering more than 48 million individuals, the team identified a 1.59 times greater likelihood of developing bowel cancer in infected persons. Applying these results, they calculated that about 22% of worldwide colorectal cancer cases might be attributable to the bacterium.
The study also noted that only four investigations evaluated the impact of antibiotic eradication, indicating a possible risk reduction after ten years. Age-specific estimates showed a rising proportion of cancers linked to H. pylori in more recent birth cohorts. The authors suggest that these insights could guide primary prevention strategies, especially in regions with high infection rates, while calling for long-term prospective studies to confirm causality.
