April marks not only IBS awareness and bowel cancer awareness, but also Stress Awareness Month – a timely reminder of the profound impact stress can have on our health, especially on our gut and digestive system. Many of our Just For Tummies customers have expressed concerns about IBS and its potential link to bowel cancer, so what better time to take a closer look and put any worries to rest.
Let us begin by providing reassurance that IBS does not increase cancer risk. While IBS can cause uncomfortable and distressing digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain, it does not cause changes in the bowel tissue or lead to cancer. Unlike Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, IBS does not involve inflammation – a key factor in colorectal cancer risk.
Many people worry that long-term IBS symptoms, such as frequent bowel changes, might lead to bowel cancer. However, IBS is classified as a functional disorder, meaning it affects how the gut works rather than causing structural or cellular changes that could develop into cancer. The concern that IBS may increase bowel cancer risk often stems from overlapping symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits. However, if you experience persistent symptoms or significant changes, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other conditions, but having IBS alone does not mean you are at a higher risk of developing cancer.
How stress impacts IBS
Stress can be a major trigger for IBS symptoms. The gut and brain are closely connected via the gut-brain axis, meaning emotional and psychological stress can cause intestinal discomfort, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Chronic stress may:
- Increase gut motility, leading to diarrhoea or constipation
- Heighten gut sensitivity, making IBS symptoms more severe
- Disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, which can further worsen symptoms
Managing stress is therefore essential in controlling IBS symptoms and improving your overall gut health.
Stress and bowel cancer – can stress lead to symptoms?
Recent research suggests that chronic stress may influence the progression of colorectal cancer. While stress itself does not cause cancer, it can impact the immune system, gut microbiome, and inflammation levels, all of which may contribute to disease progression.
New findings from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, provide strong evidence of the gut-stress-cancer link. Researchers found that:
- Mice exposed to chronic stress had a higher tumour burden compared to non-stressed mice.
- Faecal transplants from stressed mice increased colorectal cancer progression in other mice.
- Eradicating gut bacteria eliminated this effect, highlighting the gut microbiome’s role in stress-related cancer progression.
- Beneficial gut bacteria (Lactobacillus strains) were significantly lower in the stressed group, along with lower activity of key anti-tumour immune cells.
This suggests that chronic stress alters the gut microbiota in a way that can influence colorectal cancer development. Read more here.
Can probiotics help prevent stress-related bowel cancer?
The study also uncovered a potential strategy for protecting against stress-induced colorectal cancer progression:
Supplementing with Lactobacillus plantarum, a beneficial probiotic, helped inhibit tumour growth in stressed mice. This means that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through diet and probiotics may play a role in preventing stress-related colorectal cancer.
Other ways to support gut health include:
- Eating a fibre-rich diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
- Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables
- Managing stress effectively through meditation, exercise, and adequate sleep
Managing stress for better digestive health
Taking steps to reduce stress could be life-changing and even life-saving. Here’s how:
- Identify stress triggers: Be aware of work, lifestyle, or emotional stressors and work on strategies to manage them.
- Practise relaxation techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can help.
- Stay physically active: Regular exercise helps regulate digestion and reduces stress hormones.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Eating balanced meals with gut-friendly foods supports digestion and reduces inflammation.
- Prioritise sleep: Poor sleep increases stress and disrupts gut health. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
As the April awareness month themes remind us, looking after both our mental and digestive health is essential. Stress may be unavoidable, but how we manage it can make all the difference – not just for our gut, but for our overall wellbeing. Small changes in your daily routine can have a lasting impact on your health, and by prioritising stress management, you are taking an important step towards a healthier future. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. We’re here to support you with expert advice, high-quality supplements, and natural digestive health solutions. If you have a question, please get in touch.
