Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: What you need to know about antibiotics and colon cancer

There’s been a sharp increase of colorectal cancer in those under age 50, potentially linked to unhealthy diets high in processed meat and fat. A recent study shows antibiotic use increasing the risk of developing colon cancer. Antibiotics upset the balance of the microbiomes in the gut, which lead to an over- or under-production of chemicals that regulate the immune system and cause the production of certain bacteria that can cause inflammation and diarrhea. This sheds light on the need to be more restrictive with prescribing and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics in early years because prolonged use over six months may increase the risk of developing colon cancer by 17 percent.