Groundbreaking new research has revealed that popular weight-loss medications could dramatically improve survival rates for people diagnosed with colon cancer.
A major study from the University of California San Diego found that patients taking GLP-1 receptor drugs – the class behind medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro – were less than half as likely to die within five years compared to those not using these treatments.
Stark Survival Difference Revealed
Scientists conducted an extensive analysis of more than 6,800 colon cancer patients to reach their compelling conclusions. The data showed a remarkable disparity in outcomes between those using GLP-1 medications and those who weren't.
Within the five-year study period, only 15.5 per cent of patients on GLP-1 drugs died, compared to a significantly higher 37.1 per cent mortality rate among those not taking the medications. This represents a reduction in death risk of more than 50 per cent for those receiving the treatment.
Potential Mechanisms Behind the Benefit
The research, published in the respected journal Cancer Investigation, suggests several ways these weight-loss drugs might be improving survival outcomes for cancer patients.
Experts believe the medications may help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity within the body, both of which could contribute to better cancer outcomes. Lead author Raphael Cuomo also noted that laboratory studies indicate GLP-1 drugs might directly prevent cancer cell growth and even trigger cancer cell death.
However, Cuomo emphasised that more research is needed to determine whether the survival benefit comes directly from the drugs themselves or is an indirect result of the improved metabolic health they provide.
Understanding Bowel Cancer in the UK
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel, which comprises the colon and rectum. According to Bowel Cancer UK, it's one of the most common cancers in the United Kingdom, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed annually.
Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research, Policy and Influencing at Bowel Cancer UK, explained: "Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. But not all polyps develop into cancer."
The charity notes that more than 94 per cent of new cases are diagnosed in people over 50, though experts stress that bowel cancer can affect individuals of any age.
Common symptoms include unexplained tiredness, weight loss, blood in stools, and pain or a lump in the stomach. Dr Wilde advises: "If you have any symptoms, or if your pooing habits just don't feel normal for you, contact your GP straight away. They will want to hear from you and may give you an at-home test to help decide whether your symptoms need further investigation."
