6 risk factors for stomach cancer

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of the Department of Digestive Surgery, Central Military Hospital 108, stomach cancer is one of the types of cancer with high incidence and mortality rates in the world. However, the majority of risk factors can be controlled through a healthy lifestyle and effective preventive measures.

Below are the main risk factors that increase the likelihood of stomach cancer and measures to reduce them.

Unhealthy diet

Diet plays an important role in increasing or reducing the risk of stomach cancer. Unhealthy eating habits, especially consuming a lot of processed foods, smoked foods, grilled foods, foods high in salt and nitrates such as bacon, sausages, canned meat, etc. closely related to stomach cancer. According to WHO research, consuming 50 grams of processed meat per day increases the risk of stomach cancer by 18%.

For prevention, you should replace processed foods with green vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts, which provide antioxidants, fiber and important nutrients. A study published in the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) shows that daily fruit and vegetable consumption can reduce the risk of stomach cancer by up to 20%.

Reduce the amount of salt in your daily menu. According to recommendations of the American Cancer Society, each person should consume less than 6 g of salt/day to protect stomach health.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection

HP infection is one of the leading risk factors leading to stomach cancer. According to research from The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2017), up to 89% of stomach cancer cases are related to HP infection. This bacteria causes ulcers in the stomach lining, damages cells and can lead to the development of malignant tumors.

According to a study by The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2020), HP treatment reduces the risk of developing stomach cancer by up to 75%. To prevent HP infection, it is necessary to maintain good personal hygiene, not eat or drink with others, and ensure food hygiene and safety.

Smoking

Smoking is not only the cause of many types of cancer such as lung and esophagus, but also increases the risk of stomach cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), smokers are twice as likely to develop stomach cancer as non-smokers. Toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the stomach lining and increase gene mutations, leading to tumor development.

Stopping smoking is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. According to research from the British Medical Journal (BMJ), after only 5-10 years of stopping smoking, the risk of stomach cancer can be reduced to the same level as someone who has never smoked.

Banning smoking in public places and creating propaganda campaigns to reduce smoking rates in the community is also an effective prevention method.

Family history and genetics

People who have family members with stomach cancer have a higher risk of getting the disease than the general population. In addition, some genetic mutations such as CDH1 also increase the risk of stomach cancer. According to research by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), people with CDH1 gene mutations have a 50-70% higher risk of stomach cancer than people without this mutation.

If you have a family history of stomach cancer, you should have regular stomach cancer screening and consult an oncologist. For people at high risk, genetic tests can help detect gene mutations early and provide timely interventions.

Chronic gastritis and related diseases

Chronic gastritis, especially atrophic gastritis, increases the risk of cancer. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also at risk of developing malignant tumors. According to research published in the journal Gastroenterology (2018), these diseases cause damage to the mucosa, creating conditions for malignant cells to grow.

You should treat stomach diseases early, using anti-inflammatory drugs or stomach acid inhibitors as prescribed by your doctor. Adjust your lifestyle, avoid eating too much spicy food, alcohol, and highly acidic foods to reduce stomach mucosa irritation.

Excessive alcohol consumption

Alcohol is one of the causes of damage to the stomach lining, increasing the risk of ulcers and cancer development. According to research by the International Journal of Cancer, consuming more than 30 grams of alcohol per day increases the risk of stomach cancer by up to 40%.

Therefore, alcohol consumption should be limited. The American Cancer Society recommends that men should not drink more than two drinks a day, and women should not drink more than one drink a day to reduce the risk.

The prevention of stomach cancer depends greatly on lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying away from tobacco, alcohol and other risk factors can significantly reduce the risk of disease. At the same time, regular screening for high-risk people is a decisive factor in early detection and timely treatment.