Friendly bacteria may ward off prostate cancer

Scientists at the University of Turku in Finland studied 181 patients with suspected prostate cancer.

While 60% had cancer, a biopsy revealed the others had a benign tumour.

Those who were diagnosed with cancer were found to have more strains of ‘bad’ bacteria in their stomachs, while those with benign tumours had more beneficial strains of bacteria. It is thought that having a healthy gut can boost the immune system.

“Variations in prostate cancer rates could be due to genetic factors or differences in healthcare policies, but also variance in lifestyle and diet,” says the study’s lead author, Professor Peter Bostrom.