If you're caring for a loved one with colon cancer, you may take heart from new research. Two cancer studies have identified unusually high levels of a specific bacterium not usually found in the colon, Fusobacterium, in colon cancer tumors.
The study at the British Columbia Cancer Agency, headed by Dr. Robert A. Holt and his team, used genetic analysis to identify the unexpected connection in Canadian patients, according to a report in the NY Times by Gina Kolata:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/health/18cancer.html
Another study at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Matthew Meyerson and his associates, found similar results in patients from the US, Vietnam, and Spain.
All patients studied had higher levels of the Fusobacterium in their tumors than found in normal colon cells. Dr. Holt found that some of his patients had an average of 415 times as many Fusobacteria as normal cells. Dr. Meyerson's research focused on the DNA aspect. He was unable to determine if the Fusobacteria is the trigger of the colon cancer or the cause of it, but the findings are considered provocative. Why? Because this may allow researchers to develop a vaccine to prevent colon cancer.
One question that cancer researchers will have to answer is whether inflammation, caused by the bacteria, is the start of colon cancer or if it speeds the development of cancer. Both Dr. Holt and Dr. Meyerson admit uncertainty in the cause and effect of Fusobacterium in colon cancer. But at least scientists have a potential culprit to investigate, examine, and follow.
For families with a loved one who has this disease, it can offer hope that somewhere, somehow, at some point in time, there may be answers about colon cancer, and with answers, there can be better disease management, treatment, and hopefully even a cure. Never give up hope!
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