Infection with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is now
recognized as a primary cause of peptic ulcers and their recurrence. Now
evidence has been found linking H. pylori infection as a risk factor for stomach
cancer. In an article in the American Journal of Medicine, the authors reviewed information that links the changes caused by
H.
pylori infection in the stomach lining as a strong risk factor for stomach
cancer. When an H. pylori infection is identified, it can be treated with
antibiotics. The authors suggest testing for H. pylori as a way to decrease the
incidence of stomach cancer. A blood test to check for H. pylori antibodies is
available and can be easily done. The authors recommend that people who have a
family history of stomach cancer or other cancer risk factors be screened for H.
pylori infection with this blood test.
Cleveland Clinic commentary
A dramatic decline has
occurred in the past 60 years in the number of stomach (also called gastric)
cancer cases. There has been a fourfold decrease in the incidence of stomach
cancer, but it is still the seventh-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United
States. Several reasons may have led to this drop in stomach cancer rates, such
as improved detection and treatment, as well as improved dietary habits, such as
eating more fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Many studies show that a diet rich in
fruits and vegetables lowers the risk for many cancers. But if stomach cancer is
not caught early before it has spread, the prognosis is poor and the disease may
be fatal.
Various medical conditions can be associated with an increased risk of
developing stomach cancer, including gastritis, pernicious anemia, gastric
polyps, and gastric ulcer. A person's risk of developing stomach cancer is also
greater if he or she has been infected with H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori is a
bacteria that can infect the lining of the stomach and causes chronic
inflammation and ulcers. Sometimes, a person may have an acute infection that is
cleared by the body's own immune system. Occasionally, the H. pylori infection
may not cause any symptoms. When the infection is chronic, the person develops
symptoms of a gastric ulcer and will need to be treated with a combination of
antibiotics and acid-reducing medication. The doctor can test for H. pylori
infection by obtaining a blood sample and checking for H. pylori antibodies. An
H. pylori infection is easily treated as long as you take all the prescribed
doses of antibiotics.
Your doctor will determine if you need to be screened for H. pylori
infection. If you have a strong family history of stomach cancer as well as
other cancer risk factors, even though you don't have symptoms of a stomach
ulcer, your doctor may recommend being tested for H. pylori antibodies. In
addition to screening, your doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes such as
including more fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet. Regular checkups with
your doctor and following his or her recommendations can reduce your cancer
risk.