A recent study has found a link between the amount of sugar in soft drinks and the risk of bowel cancer in women, with a doubling in the risk for those who drink two or more sugary drinks every day
Regarded as the second most deadly cancer, bowel cancer develops when cells alter and proliferate in the large bowel, comprising the colon and rectum.
Because cancerous cells replicate and expand throughout the body at rapid speed, the condition can prove challenging to identify, frequently reducing survival chances.
Nevertheless, monitoring your lifestyle choices can have an impact.
Particular foods and beverages can affect your likelihood of developing cancer initially.
Fresh research published in journal Gut has uncovered a link between sugar-sweetened drinks and the likelihood of developing bowel cancer. Here’s the essential information.
Which widely consumed drink is ‘doubling’ bowel cancer risk?
The Gut research discovered that consuming two or more sugar-laden beverages each day during adulthood was associated with a “doubling” in bowel cancer risk before reaching 50 – particularly amongst women.
Data from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) indicates that sugar-sweetened drinks, including fizzy beverages, fruit-flavoured refreshments and sports and energy drinks, account for 39% of additional sugar in American diets.
The research also determined that 12% of Americans consume more than three servings of these beverages daily.
The Gut study tracked 95,464 subjects across 24 years, considering their dietary intake alongside family history of bowel cancer and lifestyle factors. Throughout the research period, 109 women were diagnosed with bowel cancer before reaching 50, with a greater consumption of sugar-laden beverages in adult life being associated with an elevated risk of the condition.
Women who consumed two or more servings of these drinks daily were believed to be twice as susceptible to developing bowel cancer, when compared with those drinking fewer than one serving weekly.
Every daily serving was associated with a 16% increased risk, which jumped to 32% per daily serving consumed during adolescence.
When these beverages were replaced with artificially sweetened alternatives, coffee, or semi-skimmed or full-fat milk, the bowel cancer risk dropped by 36%.
While this observational study cannot prove causation, researchers concluded that sugar-sweetened drink consumption may play a role in early-onset bowel cancer.
The study added: “Reducing intake and/or [substitution] with other healthier beverages among adolescents and young adults may serve as a potential actionable strategy to alleviate the growing burden of bowel cancer before the age of 50.”
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer across the UK. According to NHS guidance, over 90% of bowel cancer patients experience one or several of these warning signs:.
A persistent change in bowel habit – going to the toilet more frequently, with looser, runnier stools and occasionally stomach (abdominal) discomfort. Your stools may also appear narrower in shape.
Blood in the stool without other haemorrhoids (piles) symptoms – this makes it unlikely that haemorrhoids are the cause.
Stomach pain, discomfort or bloating consistently triggered by eating – this could lead to a decrease in food consumption and weight loss.
If you’re concerned about any signs or symptoms, get in touch with your GP and/or consult the NHS website for further information.
