Health Network》Chronic inflammation nourishes cancer cells! Medical police report that the risk of these cancers increases, bowel cancer is included

Radiation oncologist Liao Zhiying explained that inflammation is originally the body's protective mechanism, but if inflammation persists for a long time, it may create an environment conducive to the growth of cancer cells and increase the risk of colorectal cancer; schematic diagram. (Taken from Freepik)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Chronic inflammation is not only a long-term inflammation of the body, but may also increase the risk of cancer. Radiation oncologist Dr. Liao Zhiying explained that inflammation is originally the body's protective mechanism, but if inflammation persists for a long time, it may create an environment conducive to the growth of cancer cells, causing repeated damage to DNA, continuous activation of cancer cell growth signals, the elimination of cells that are not easy to die, and an imbalance in the immune environment. The risk of liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. also increases. Reducing certain controllable sources of chronic inflammation is also one of the important strategies to reduce the risk of cancer growth.

Chronic inflammation fuels 4 mechanisms of cancer

Liao Zhiying posted on Facebook that when the body is injured or infected, the immune system will initiate an inflammatory response to remove pathogens and repair tissues. But if inflammation persists for a long time, it’s like the body’s alarm keeps sounding, encouraging cancer cells to grow. He further explained that chronic inflammation promotes four important mechanisms of cancer:

●DNA is repeatedly damaged: the cell's instructions are destroyed

Chronic inflammation produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may cause DNA damage. When cells are repeatedly injured and repaired, the chances of accumulation of genetic mutations may also increase.

●Growth signals continue to turn on, and cancer cells continue to receive instructions to “continue growing”

Inflammatory factors such as IL-6 activate STAT3 and other cell signals to promote the proliferation and survival of some cancer cells.

●Cells are not easy to die: cells that should be eliminated remain

Inflammatory signals such as NF-κB may increase cell survival and allow some abnormal cells to escape their intended apoptosis.

●Immune environment: Cancer cells are more likely to evade immune attacks

Long-term inflammation may change the tumor microenvironment and increase immune-suppressive cells, making it easier for cancer cells to evade immune system surveillance.

4 major cancers related to chronic inflammation

Liao Zhiying mentioned that some chronic inflammations are related to cancer risks. For example: hepatitis B and C cause long-term liver inflammation, thereby increasing the risk of liver cancer; Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, increasing the risk of gastric cancer; inflammatory bowel disease causes long-term intestinal inflammation, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, obesity and visceral fat may also lead to chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic abnormalities, and are also associated with an increased risk of various cancers.

Liao Zhiying stressed that the so-called "anti-inflammation is also anti-cancer?" To be more precise, reducing certain sources of chronic inflammation is also one of the important strategies to reduce the risk of cancer growth, because anti-cancer is not just about destroying cancer cells, but also paying attention to the environment in which cancer cells grow.