Researchers in Ghana studied blood markers in people with and without colorectal cancer to understand what might increase cancer risk. They found that people with colorectal cancer had higher levels of certain inflammatory substances and stress markers in their blood. Two markers in particular—TNF-α and MDA—showed the strongest connection to cancer risk. While diet factors like meat and vegetable intake didn’t show a strong link in this study, the findings suggest that inflammation and cellular stress may play important roles in colorectal cancer development in African populations. These discoveries could help doctors identify people at higher risk in the future.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether certain substances in the blood that show inflammation and cellular damage are connected to colorectal cancer in Ghanaian patients
  • Who participated: 54 people total: 28 with colorectal cancer and 26 without cancer (control group) from hospitals in Ghana who had not yet received cancer treatment
  • Key finding: People with colorectal cancer had significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-1β) and a stress marker called MDA compared to people without cancer. Two of these markers—TNF-α and MDA—showed the strongest connection to cancer risk.
  • What it means for you: These blood markers may eventually help doctors identify who is at higher risk for colorectal cancer, potentially allowing for earlier screening. However, this is early research, and more studies are needed before these markers can be used clinically. If you have risk factors for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about screening options.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by comparing two groups of people at the same moment. They recruited 28 patients with colorectal cancer and 26 people without cancer from hospitals in Ghana. Blood samples were taken from all participants and tested for specific substances that indicate inflammation and cellular stress. The researchers also asked participants about their diet using questionnaires. They then used statistical analysis to see if the blood markers were connected to cancer risk.

The study measured four main blood markers: TNF-α and IL-1β (which show inflammation), iFABP (which suggests intestinal barrier damage), and MDA (which shows cellular stress from oxidative damage). These were measured using laboratory tests called ELISA, which are standard methods for detecting these substances in blood.

This research approach is important because it helps identify potential warning signs in the blood that might be connected to colorectal cancer. By comparing people with and without cancer, researchers can spot patterns that might not be obvious otherwise. This type of study is often a first step before larger, longer-term studies are done to confirm findings.

This study has some important limitations to consider: it’s relatively small (only 54 people), which means the results might not apply to larger populations. It’s also a snapshot study rather than following people over time, so we can’t prove that these markers actually cause cancer—only that they’re associated with it. The study was done in Ghana, so results may not apply to other populations with different genetics and lifestyles. The researchers acknowledge these limitations and call for larger studies to confirm their findings.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people with colorectal cancer had significantly higher levels of four blood markers compared to people without cancer. TNF-α (a substance that triggers inflammation) and MDA (a marker of cellular stress) showed the strongest connection to cancer risk in the statistical analysis. When researchers adjusted for other factors, these two markers remained significantly associated with colorectal cancer.

The study also found that TNF-α and IL-1β (another inflammatory marker) were correlated with each other, suggesting they work together in the inflammatory process. This makes sense because both are part of the body’s inflammatory response.

Interestingly, when the researchers adjusted their analysis for other factors, IL-1β and iFABP (intestinal barrier marker) no longer showed a significant association with cancer risk, even though they were higher in cancer patients. This suggests these markers may be less reliable indicators than TNF-α and MDA.

The study examined dietary factors including alcohol consumption, red and processed meat intake, vegetable consumption, and dairy intake. Surprisingly, none of these dietary factors showed a significant connection to colorectal cancer risk in this population. This differs from some other research suggesting diet plays a role in cancer risk, and may reflect population-specific eating patterns or the study’s small size.

Previous research in other populations has suggested that inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to colorectal cancer development. This study supports those findings in an African population, which is important because most colorectal cancer research has been done in Western countries. The finding that TNF-α and MDA are key markers aligns with what scientists understand about how cancer develops through inflammatory and stress pathways. However, the lack of dietary associations differs from some previous studies, suggesting that the relationship between diet and colorectal cancer may vary by population.

This study is relatively small with only 54 participants, which limits how much we can generalize the findings. It’s a cross-sectional study, meaning it captures one moment in time, so we can’t determine whether these blood markers cause cancer or are simply a result of having cancer. The study was conducted only in Ghana, so results may not apply to other populations. The researchers couldn’t measure all potential confounding factors that might affect results. Finally, the lack of association with dietary factors may be due to the small sample size rather than diet truly being unrelated to cancer risk.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, there are no immediate changes to make in your daily life. The findings are preliminary and suggest that TNF-α and MDA may be useful blood markers for identifying colorectal cancer risk, but more research is needed before these can be used clinically. If you have risk factors for colorectal cancer (family history, age over 45, inflammatory bowel disease), continue following standard screening recommendations from your doctor. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with adequate vegetables, limited red meat, and moderate alcohol consumption remains important based on broader research evidence.

This research is most relevant to people in sub-Saharan Africa, where colorectal cancer rates are rising. It’s also important for researchers and doctors developing better screening methods. People with family histories of colorectal cancer or those with inflammatory conditions should be aware of these findings. However, this research shouldn’t change current screening practices until larger studies confirm these markers are useful clinically.

If these blood markers eventually become part of clinical screening, results would be available within days of a blood test. However, it will likely take several years of additional research before these markers are validated for routine clinical use in identifying cancer risk.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track inflammatory symptoms and digestive health markers: note any persistent bloating, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, or blood in stool. Record these weekly along with any dietary changes to identify patterns over time.
  • Use the app to set reminders for colorectal cancer screening appointments based on your age and risk factors. If you’re over 45 or have risk factors, schedule and track your screening colonoscopy or other recommended screening tests.
  • Create a long-term health tracking log that records digestive symptoms, dietary intake, and screening test dates. This helps you and your doctor monitor changes over time and ensures you stay current with recommended cancer screenings based on your age and risk profile.

This research is preliminary and should not be used to diagnose or treat colorectal cancer. These blood markers are not yet approved for clinical use in cancer screening. If you have symptoms of colorectal cancer (persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain) or risk factors, consult your healthcare provider about appropriate screening tests. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss any health concerns with a qualified healthcare provider.