Researchers have shown that various types of intestinal bacteria could be factors that cause and prevent obesity and other disorders and diseases. Now, a study by the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) in the United States suggests that they could also potentially be used to reduce the risk of some types of cancer.

The research, published in this week's issue of the journal 'Plos One', offers evidence that "health-beneficial" intestinal anti-inflammatory bacteria can slow or stop the development of some types of cancer.

Ultimately, doctors might be able to reduce a person's risk of cancer by analyzing the levels and types of intestinal bacteria in the body and then prescribing probiotics to replace or reinforce the amount of bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties, Says lead author Robert Schiestl, professor of pathology, environmental health sciences and radiation oncology at UCLA. "It's not invasive and it's pretty easy to do," he says. More information