Ask the expert
advanced bowel cancer
Question
My niece is 26 and is on a low fibre diet. She has colon cancer which is also in the liver and lungs. I have read that probiotic yoghurts are beneficial for some bowel conditions but not for some really ill patients. Can you offer any general advice for us?
Answer
Probiotics are foods or dietary supplements that contain live, active bacteria. They are often called "friendly" or "good" bacteria because they are similar to the beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yoghurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso soup, and some juices and soy beverages. Probiotics are also available in the form of dietary supplements (e.g. capsules, tablets, and powders). There has been a growing public and scientific interest in the role of probiotics and their potential to both prevent and treat health conditions. Scientific understanding is at an early stage, and whilst there is limited evidence supporting some uses of probiotics, e.g. in antibiotic associated intestinal disorders, more information is needed on how safe they are, especially for people like your niece who may have a compromised immune system. General recommendations do not currently exist. If your niece were considering using a probiotic product, I would advise that she consult her medical team first. They will be able to make an assessment of her current symptoms and medical state in order to advise whether such a product is suitable in her case.
