> [!quote] All disease begins in the gut. > Hippocrates # Why is understanding the microbiome important to people with cancer? The microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that live in and on the human body. These microorganisms can have an effect on the development and progression of cancer. For example, some types of bacteria can produce substances that can damage DNA, leading to the development of cancerous cells. The microbiome can also influence the immune system, which is important in cancer because the immune system helps to protect the body from the development and spread of cancer cells. # Matt's notes on the microbiome: [Plants First Nutrition](https://plantsfirst.ca/) Difference pathways are at play depending on where the tumor is located. Mine is in the left / distal colon, which shows the following characteristics: - lower levels of fermentable carbohydrates and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - higher pH of ~6.7 at the rectum - biofilms less likely to be present - embylogical hindgut origin I don't know what any of that points to or means to me right now, but worth looking into. Here's a diagram that illustrates the relationship between the location of the tumor and the various pathways involved:  Source: #paper [Microbiome distinctions between the CRC carcinogenic pathways - PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8288036/)