According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers today, with 1.03 million cases reported in 2018 alone. It killed 783,000 people in the same year. In this cancer, cancer cells grow inside the lining of the stomach. This growth leads to the formation of tumors. The whole process may take several years. Most people don’t show symptoms in the early stages, so it’s difficult to diagnose. This tumor is also called gastric cancer. And by the time symptoms appear, it may be too late to treat the disease
H. pylori infection increases risk of gastric cancer: Study
A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of stomach cancer in Americans and certain demographic and ethnic groups. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine looked at the records of nearly 400,000 patients. They found that successfully eradicating Helicobacter pylori from the gastrointestinal tract reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 75 percent. And they say, “Stomach cancer rates are higher in certain populations after H. pylori infection is detected.” This suggests that individuals in these groups may benefit from more careful monitoring. The study was published in the journal Gastroenterology.
Men are more susceptible to H. pylori infection: Experts
According to researchers, H. pylori infects almost half of the world’s population, mainly in the eastern region. It can cause ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems. However, most people do not know they have it because they do not suffer from it. To date, there have been no studies evaluating H. pylori infection as a risk factor for gastric cancer.
“African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, American Indians, and Inuit Americans have a relatively high risk of contracting Helicobacter pylori and stomach cancer,” the researchers say. They added that the risk was higher among men, smokers, and people who were diagnosed with Helic pylori at an older age. To reduce the risk of stomach cancer, doctors should ensure that the bacteria are removed after treatment, they suggest.
Causes of stomach cancer
There are many factors that can affect the growth of this cancer. Some of the risk factors are health-related, while others may be related to lifestyle and environment. As mentioned above, Helicobacter pylori infection can cause stomach cancer. Apart from this lymphoma, stomach polyps and tumors in other parts of the digestive system can increase your risk of developing this type of cancer.
It is more common in the elderly. People over the age of 50 are more likely to be diagnosed with this cancer. Men are also at greater risk. Also, if you smoke, have a family history of stomach cancer, or are of Asian, South American, or Belarusian descent, your risk increases.