A Swedish study revealed that long-term use of antibiotics increases the risk of colon cancer within 5 to 10 years.
The effect of antibiotics on the gut microbiome is thought to be the reason for the increased risk of cancer.
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The research that reached this conclusion came from Umea University in Sweden.
In the study, data from 40,000 cancer patients in Sweden between 2010 and 2016 were compared with data from 200,000 people without cancer.
Accordingly, it was revealed that the risk of colon cancer in individuals who used antibiotics for more than 6 months was 17 percent higher than those who did not use antibiotics.
The increased risk of cancer is thought to be due to the effect of antibiotics on the gut microbiome.
Antibiotic use should be reduced
The research covers only oral antibiotics, however, intravenous antibiotics can also affect the microbiome.
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Experts also draw attention to the importance of reducing the use of antibiotics.
They warn that the unconscious use of antibiotics leads to an increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
