Is Intestinal Bacteria a Colorectal Cancer Link in Black Americans?
This publication was approved and written in close collaboration with Dr. Folasade May.
Folasade (Fola) May, MD, PhD is Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Director at the UCLA-Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. May is a featured expert in our health equity-focused Pro Hub that lists inclusive global healthcare professionals committed to advancing inclusive research and providing the highest quality care to all patients.
These articles are written by Diverse Health Hub to summarize complex medical research in order to facilitate deeper understanding. Diverse Health Hub publications are not intended to persuade its readers. We present information to create in-depth conversations that encourage patients to critically think and decide for themselves.
Black Americans have higher rates of colorectal cancer when compared to rates in non-Hispanic white Americans, but what are the reasons why? Research efforts are focusing more on the root causes of these higher rates. In our ongoing efforts at DHH to shine a light on underserved patients, here’s a look at a study examining the race-dependent association of sulfidogenic bacteria with colorectal cancer.
Diet and Intestinal Bacterial Factors of Black Americans
The diet that people ingest and bacteria in the digestive system are key aspects in colorectal cancer research. Some studies show that consumption of a diet high in fat and animal protein is an environmental risk factor for colorectal cancer. The effects of diet are thought to be regulated by the microbiota in the intestines. In this study, researchers wondered if an overabundance of autochthonous sulfidogenic bacteria in the colonic mucosa tissues might explain the higher rate of colorectal cancer in Black Americans. Hydrogen sulfide from the bacteria activates hyperproliferation and proinflammatory pathways and can cause chromosomal or DNA damage – thus researchers were interested in this biologic pathway.
Sulfidogenic Bacteria in Colonic Mucosa
To undertake the study, researchers collected and examined healthy mucosa from colonic biopsies. Patients from five medical centers in Chicago were involved in the study, which also utilized normal mucosa of Black and non-Hispanic white control cases. The researchers scrutinized dietary intake, disease status, race, and bacterial targets for associations. An additional 165 rDNA sequencing was implemented in Black patients and controls.
In comparison to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, Black patients carried a higher amount of sulfidogenic bacteria no matter their disease status. As far as diet, daily servings of meat and fat as well as protein intake were substantially greater in Black patients versus non-Hispanic white patients.
Sulfidogenic Bacteria Study Results and Recommendations
The study results suggest that sulfidogenic bacteria may be a potential environmental risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer in Black Americans. However, additional studies must be done to confirm sulfidogenic bacteria as a causal risk factor.
Healthcare professionals can help this underserved patient group of Black Americans by:
Encouraging patients to include more healthy foods like whole grains, plant-based fiber, calcium, and vitamin D in their diets each day
Recommending that patients limit their intake of red meat, processed meats, and alcohol
Encouraging patients to maintain a healthy weight, incorporate exercise into their lives, and receive regular colorectal cancer screenings
Advocating for further research and funding to gather more data about sulfidogenic bacteria as a potential colorectal cancer risk factor
For additional resources, visit our Colorectal Cancer Hub to connect to resources for you and your family.
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Resources
What Symptoms Are Associated With Colorectal Cancer?
What Are Known Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer?
Is Colorectal Cancer Hereditary?
Can Routine Lab Tests Give Insight Into Colorectal Health?
Is Colorectal Cancer Hereditary?
Can Routine Lab Tests Give Insight Into Colorectal Health?
What Disparities Are Seen in Colorectal Cancer Treatment?
Is Prevalence of Colorectal Cancer Increasing Among Some Populations?
Is There a Connection Between Colorectal Cancer and Diet?
Colorectal Cancer Risk and the Role of Screening
Overview of Colorectal Cancer Treatment Landscape
Colorectal Cancer Advanced Treatments and Clinical Trial Benefits
Sources
Cemal Yazici, Patricia Wolf, Hajwa Kim, Tzu-Wen L. Cross, Karin Vermillion, Timothy Carroll, Gaius J. Augustus, Ece Mutlu, Lisa Tussing-Humphreys, Carol Braunschweig, Rosa M. Xicola, Barbara Jung, Xavier Llor, Nathan A. Ellis, Rex Gaskins. Race-Dependent Association of Sulfidogenic Bacteria With Colorectal Cancer. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28153960/
