A new study conducted by researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital linked precancerous colon polyps to specific gut bacteria. Published in Cell Host & Microbe, the study compared the stool samples and colonoscopies of 971 participants. Stool samples were used to get a snapshot of…

Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the United States. While overall incidence rates seem to be dropping, rates in people under 50 have increased by 1 to 2 percent yearly since the mid-1990s. In addition, colorectal cancer is responsible for the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths when…

Ryuichi Sakamoto, a world-renowned Japanese composer, musician, and outspoken environmentalist, passed away at age 71 on March 28 in Tokyo due to colorectal cancer. In 1983, Sakamoto co-starred alongside David Bowie in the film, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” about a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. He also scored the music for the film, winning him a 1984, BAFTA…

Research has confirmed that chronic constipation is one of the risk factors for colorectal neoplasms. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques such as acupressure massage, herbal medicine, and daily diet can effectively treat constipation, thus reducing the risk of colorectal neoplasms. In the United States, constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions, with at least…

On May 1, the renowned 46-year-old MasterChef Australia judge, Jock Zonfrillo, was found dead in a hotel in Melbourne. Reports have said the esteemed chef had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was undergoing private treatment. His passing led not only to the temporary suspension of the show’s latest season but also sparked increased public…

Being overweight or obese can raise the risk of colorectal cancer, new research has found. Colorectal cancer forms in the colon or rectum. The study, published in the JAMA Network on May 10, analyzed 135,161 individuals aged 55–74 to assess the link between body mass index (BMI) and the risks of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers like…

Despite an overall decline in rates for colorectal cancer, doctors are seeing a dramatic increase in the disease among young adults. Researchers at the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have found that those born in 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950,…

Colorectal cancer, when detected early, can be treated effectively with a higher chance of recovery. However, its early symptoms can be easily mistaken for other conditions such as hemorrhoids and indigestion. So, how can you differentiate between bleeding caused by hemorrhoids and that caused by cancer? Have you been experiencing symptoms like bloating, stomach rumbling,…

Regular screening for colorectal cancer, beginning at the age of 45 is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet, colorectal cancer prevails as the third most common type of cancer in the United States. Hu Naiwen, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician teaches how to protect the intestinal tract and prevent colorectal…

Does blood in stool always indicate a health red flag? Seeing blood in the toilet bowl can be alarming. However, passing bloody stool does not necessarily indicate a serious problem, and only two situations may suggest severe disease (such as colorectal cancer) that requires immediate medical attention. 4 Main Causes of Blood in Stool, Symptoms…