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Study: Gut microbiome changes persist over a decade after adenoma removal, linked to sustained colorectal cancer risk

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Key Finding: A study found that gut microbiome and metabolite alterations remain detectable more than 10 years after removal of colorectal adenomas.

Study Details:

  • Published in Cell Host & Microbe on May 27.
  • Used health data and stool samples from women in the Nurses' Health Study II.
  • Compared gut microbiomes of 354 participants who had an adenoma removed (average 12 years post-removal) with 354 matched adenoma-free participants.
  • Previous studies had only examined microbiomes around the time of removal.

Interpretation:

  • The researchers stated that the findings suggest the gut microbiome may be a biological contributor to sustained CRC risk after adenoma removal.
  • They noted that the study shows association, not causation, and that further research is needed to test whether modifying the microbiome through diet and exercise alters CRC risk.

Key Findings

  • These changes may contribute to sustained elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in individuals with a history of adenoma.
  • Diet and physical activity were more strongly associated with abundance of CRC-associated gut microbes in individuals with a history of adenoma than in those without.

A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that gut microbiome and metabolite alterations remain detectable more than 10 years after removal of colorectal adenomas.