Cancer is one of the most common and deadliest diseases of the world which has no specific medicine. But some common blood pressure medicines may be able to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer also called bowel cancer and colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer is responsible for more than 16,000 deaths just in the UK and its incidence is high in other parts of the world as well. The researchers from the University of Hong Kong were working on finding a treatment for this type of cancer and identified the helpful role of blood pressure medicine in lowering the risk of cancer. These medicines are; Candesartan, Valsartan, and Losartan.
The complete study findings of this study are published in the American Heart Association Journal.
Normally, these medicines are used for high blood pressure and heart related conditions. But this new study finds its helpful role in the prevention and control of colorectal cancer.
Thousands of people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year. And there is no prior testing or screening available to know if someone is at a risk. Medical experts emphasise on raising awareness on bowel cancer to control its new cases.
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The names of colorectal cancer as bowel and colon cancer are often used interchangeably based on where did cancer first emerges. The University of Hong Kong’s research team evaluated the efficacy of commonly used blood pressure medicines i.e. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reactor and angiotensin II receptor blockers react to see their effects against colorectal cancer spread.
The colorectal cancer typically starts from the colon and it can affect the whole are till rectum. Polyps or the pre-cancerous lumps are often a cause of turning into colorectal cancer. But it is not necessary that all of these lumps would end up at cancer. But when they are spotted, a doctor makes sure to remove them to prevent cancer.
This cancer is highly common in people above 50 years of age and nearly 60% of its patients are over 70 years of age. But it doesn’t mean that It cannot affect younger people. It can even affect someone as young as a teenager.
The blood pressure medicine that inhibits angiotensin improves the blood circulation by preventing the release of the chemical which narrows the arteries thus interrupts blood pressure.
Wai K. Leung the principal researcher for this study overviewed more than 187,897 medical cases between the years 2005 and 2015. Nearly all of these patients reported a negative bowel cancer test.
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Based on these patient’s histories, he concluded that these medications reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 22%. Those who are over 50 years of age or have a medical history of having polyps in the colon are at a larger benefit as they are most likely to get colorectal cancer than the rest.
Leung focuses that having a randomized controlled new trial will help to explain more benefits of these blood pressure medicines for lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.
