Cancer develops through a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. For decades, the role of micro-organisms in this process was overlooked. That began to change in 1994, when researchers confirmed that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori was a major contributor to gastric cancer. Since then, infectious agents have been linked to nearly 20% of all human cancers.
The gut microbiome—the community of trillions of bacteria in our intestines—has emerged as a particularly important player. Changes in gut bacteria have long been studied in people with colorectal cancer, the second most common cancer in the United States and the third most common cancer worldwide. In fact, studies dating back to the 1980s found a strong correlation between higher fecal pH (a more alkaline stool) and colorectal cancer, as illustrated in this video https://nutritionfacts.org/video/stool-ph-and-colon-cancer/.
A critical fact is that research suggests that an unhealthy gut microbiome (a state known as dysbiosis) may not just accompany cancer but actively drive it.
This connection extends beyond the colon. The gut microbiome influences the body’s immune responses, shaping how patients with melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—respond to immunotherapy. Similarly, evidence points to links between gut microbial imbalance and breast cancer, the most common cancer among women worldwide.
The evidence is growing: maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is not just about digestion—it may be one of the most important steps you can take to protect against cancer.
At Coprata, we believe that empowering individuals with simple tools to understand and optimize their gut health is more than wellness—it’s a step toward lifelong protection.
Sources
Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2008: a review and synthetic analysis. The Lancet Oncology. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22575588/
Changes of the intestinal microbiota, short chain fatty acids, and fecal pH in patients with colorectal cancer. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. (2013). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23306850/
The Influence of the Gut Microbiome on Cancer, Immunity, and Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Cell. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2018.03.015
Identifying distinctive tissue and fecal microbial signatures and the tumor-promoting effects of deoxycholic acid on breast cancer. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. (2022). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.1029905/pdf
The cure from within? A review of the microbiome and diet in melanoma. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews. (2022). https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10555-022-10029-3.pdf
