ESMO WCGIC 2021 | Antibiotic usage and incidence of CRC

Early onset colorectal cancer and antibiotic consumption have been increasing in prevalence over recent years; previous research has focused on the association between antibiotic usage and colorectal cancer (CRC) in older populations. Sarah Perrott, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK discusses research on the association between antibiotic usage and early-onset CRC; The sample size was 445 in the early-onset group and ~7,000 in the late-onset group. A highly significant association was found between antibiotic usage and early-onset colon cancer, equating to a ~50% increased risk with antibiotic usage; the strongest association was found to be specifically with right-sided cancer, with a 300-400% increased risk, this is consistent with previous research. A less significant, but nevertheless significant, an association was found in the late-onset group, equating to a 9% increased risk with antibiotic usage. No significant association was found between antibiotic usage and rectal cancer prevalence. This interview took place at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2021.