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Colorectal cancer: a hidden intestinal virus may double the risk
6 mars 2026
By Elodie Vaz | Published on March 6, 2026 | 3 min readColorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in Western countries and represents a major cause of cancer-related mortality. While age, diet, and lifestyle are well-established risk factors, the biological mechanisms that trigger the disease remain insufficiently understood in most cases. Up to 80% of the risk is thought to be linked to e
By Elodie Vaz | Published on March 6, 2026 | 3 min read
Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in Western countries and represents a major cause of cancer-related mortality. While age, diet, and lifestyle are well-established risk factors, the biological mechanisms that trigger the disease remain insufficiently understood in most cases. Up to 80% of the risk is thought to be linked to environmental factors, among which the intestinal microbiome—comprising bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms—is increasingly considered a key element in etiological hypotheses.
Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in Western countries and represents a major cause of cancer-related mortality. While age, diet, and lifestyle are well-established risk factors, the biological mechanisms that trigger the disease remain insufficiently understood in most cases. Up to 80% of the risk is thought to be linked to environmental factors, among which the intestinal microbiome—comprising bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms—is increasingly considered a key element in etiological hypotheses.
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Scientific reference
Damgaard F., et al. Genomic features of Bacteroides fragilis associated with colorectal cancer and linked bacteriophages. Communications Medicine. 2026. doi:10.1038/s43856-026-01403-1.
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