![\"Estimated](\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/clock-regular.4ddebeb.svg\")
3 min readA new study looks into the differences in gut bacteria between people with and without colorectal cancer.Scientists found cancer patients to have a virus-infected bacterium that healthy people typically don\u2019t have.An oncologist explains what the findings mean for future screening and prevention protocols.<\/p>\n
While knowing the number-one sign of colon cancer<\/a> may go a long way in getting a diagnosis early (which is so important), what\u2019s inside your gut may also have some clues. That\u2019s the takeaway from a new study that looks more closely at how gut bacteria\u2014specifically, viruses found within gut bacteria\u2014may increase colon cancer risk.<\/p>\n Meet the Expert: Michael Chuong, M.D.<\/a>, radiation oncologist at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida.<\/p>\n Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the world\u2019s third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, per the World Health Organization<\/a> (WHO). According to the study, published in Communications Medicine<\/a>, one of its main characteristics and, therefore, potential causes is dysbiosis<\/a>, an imbalance in the gut microbiome or community of bacteria and viruses that live in the intestines. <\/p>\n The thing is: The human gut microbiome is so vast and complex that it\u2019s difficult to pinpoint exactly which changes or imbalances are most harmful. So, for this study, researchers zeroed in on a common bacterium found in both healthy people and those with colorectal cancer\u2014Bacteroides fragilis\u2014to see if there were any notable differences in the bacteria that may lead to a better understanding of the disease. <\/p>\n Researchers first studied bacteria taken from patients with and without colorectal cancer and looked closely at their genetic makeup. In colon cancer patients, they discovered two previously unknown viruses within Bacteroides fragilis. Researchers then checked stool samples from hundreds of people with and without colorectal cancer to see if the same viruses were present. <\/p>\n