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Highly suspicious Certain substances in cattle can cause colon cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. Every year around 26,000 Germans die of it. In many patients, a genetic bias plays a role. But other factors can increase the risk of disease. According to Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen, certain substances in cattle could cause colorectal cancer in humans.
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers
Colon cancer is the second most common malignancy in men and women in Germany. Around 26,000 people die in Germany every year. According to health experts, around one in five people has a family history. In addition, people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are at increased risk. Age also matters. Furthermore, pre-existing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and malnutrition, such as a very high fat and meat diet, as factors that increase the risk of colon cancer. For example, a study from the US showed that vegetarians are less likely to develop colorectal cancer. It was also recently reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) could classify possibly processed meat such as ham, bacon and salami as "likely to cause cancer". However, this connection was slightly over-interpreted, as reported shortly afterwards.
Certain substances in beef are associated with the development of intestinal cancer. (Image: Mara Zemgaliete / fotolia.com) Connection between meat consumption and the development of cancer
But there are even more experts who suspect a connection between meat and the development of cancer. For example, German Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen has stated in an interview with the "Berner Zeitung" that certain substances in cattle are "highly suspicious" of triggering cancer in humans. Years ago, the professor expressed the suspicion that viruses in the meat could be the cause of colon cancer. He told the "Berner Zeitung": "We have strong indications that we are on the right track. But clues are no evidence. "
Vaccination against cancer
He further explained: "We still hesitate to call the substance found a virus, because we still can not detect any virus particles. However, there is strong evidence that it is a virus. "The physician said that if they were able to characterize the virus, then the development of a vaccine for cattle could be considered. "It may be possible to breed cattle that pose no nutritional risk. But these are wishful dreams, "says zur Hausen. Perhaps in the future, however, a vaccine for humans could be available, at least for certain types of colon cancer. A few months ago, Frankfurt doctors reported that they are testing the first vaccine against colorectal cancer.
Viruses alone are not enough
According to him, a viral infection alone is not enough to cause cancer. Only when the protective mechanisms developed during evolution are out of action can cancer develop. As with an earlier research on cervical cancer, he also applies to the current as a lateral thinker. However, Harald zur Hausen said: "A great deal of data, for example on meat consumption, has been around for a long time; it would only have had to be analyzed and put into context. We did it and suspected a milk and meat factor in cattle. After that, we look for it in the laboratory. "His private life is not influenced by research on viruses. He certainly "eats meat and yoghurt, in which the substance can also be detected. However, aware that we have been infected in infancy anyway and that a current lifestyle change has no bearing on my risk for colorectal cancer. "(Ad)