I just got my colonoscopy which I get every five years.
And it got me thinking…
Colorectal cancer (CRC) rates are climbing among younger populations, raising questions about the adequacy of current screening guidelines.
Traditionally, the recommendation has been to begin screenings at age 50, but evidence suggests this may no longer be appropriate.
This study highlights a significant link between poor oral health and colorectal cancer risk, particularly focusing on the bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). Research indicates that certain subtypes of Fn are more prevalent in CRC tumors, suggesting that individuals with gum disease should advocate for earlier screenings.
👉 In other words, ignoring symptoms like bleeding gums or cavities could be the difference between surviving this highly treatable cancer or not.
👉 For us dentists, failing to refer our thirty-something patients with bleeding gums for colonoscopies could be a matter of life and death.
Now let’s talk about the root cause. What could be driving this trend of more and more colorectal cancer in younger and younger ages?
A growing body of evidence points to ultra-processed foods contributing to rising colorectal rates.
Guess what? Ultra-processed foods harm the oral microbiome. Yet again, we can choose to nourish or neglect our oral microbiome at our peril.
Many healthcare providers will continue to adhere to traditional guidelines on when to refer for that colonoscopy, and I’m here to say that that could have significant consequences for patients who might benefit from earlier colonoscopies.
Yet again, oral health tells us about what’s going on in the rest of the body.
What I recommend:
👉 If you have bleeding gums, show your doctor this study, and push for a colonoscopy earlier than the traditional guidelines dictate.
👉Don’t ignore those bleeding gums. Work with a functional dentist.
👉 Nourish your oral microbiome with diet first – my oral microbiome omelet recipe is a great place to start, and supplement with an oral probiotic formulated by oral microbiome scientists.
Best,
Dr. Mark Burhenne
P.S. If you’re worried about your colon cancer risk, consider two things: 1) a colonoscopy earlier than age 50 and 2) switching to oral microbiome nourishing products, like this oral probiotic which has 6 clinically & scientifically studied probiotic strains proven to help maintain oral health & fight bacteria that cause bad breath & gum inflammation
