Climate Change and the Microbial Shift: Unveiling Hidden Risks for Cancer Progression.

Abstract

Climate change can lead to constant dysbiosis of the human microbiota, disrupting the delicate balance essential for maintaining good health. Climate change and its associated health risks are a growing area of research, yet its impact on human health, particularly for cancer patients and their relationship with microbes, remains largely unclear. While much attention is given to the effects of climate change on flora and fauna, its influence on microbes-both within the human body and in the environment deserves greater focus. Climate shifts can lead to constant dysbiosis of the human microbiota, disrupting the delicate balance, essential for maintaining good health. This interplay between host and environmental microbes is crucial for a healthy life. As climate change accelerates, it creates a favourable niche for pathogens, often exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance. Cancer patients, already immunocompromised, may be especially vulnerable to these microbial fluctuations driven by changing climates. Our review explores the existing studies that link climate change with microbial disturbances and how these shifts may contribute to cancer progression and accompanied comorbidities. Future research is essential to unravel the connection between climate change, microbial dysbiosis, and cancer development, shedding light on an often-overlooked threat to human health.