Stomach Cancer Risk Factors
Stomach cancer has been found as the second most dangerous cause for deaths in the world. Most of the time, the symptoms of stomach cancer are diagnosed after long period because the symptoms cannot be cured at the early stage. Hence, the mortality death of stomach cancer is increasing every year in the world. The various factors causing risk of stomach cancer include- bacterial infection of helicobacter pylori, exposure to radiation, stomach surgery, sex and genetic factors.
Causes of Stomach Cancer:
There are many factors that contribute to the stomach cancer. Following are the major factors discussed:
- Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Helicobacter bacterium may cause the chronic inflammation in the stomach that result into the pre-cancer stage. Researchers believe that in this condition antibiotic treatment may be helpful to decrease the stomach cancer risks. Patients who are in the first stage of stomach cancer are suggested to use endoscopy regularly as per the doctors' consult. If the patient is diagnosed with intestinal metaplasta, that patient must have at least once endoscopy within ten years.
- Diet
A diet that contains the high level of smoked foods (meat, fish and pickled vegetables), salted foods and red meat has been proved as the risk factors for the stomach cancer. These types of foods increase the chances of stomach cancer. However, a diet with various fruits and vegetables can reduce this risk. Lack of the selenium, mineral may also cause the gastric cancer.
- Race
The race also plays an important, as it seems that Hispanics, Asians, African American and Pacific Islanders are more vulnerable to stomach cancer compared to other races.
Other Factors
- Men are more likely to have stomach cancer than women.
- People who are above 50 years of age are in the high risk of stomach cancer.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Pernicious anemia affects the stomach that stomach cannot produce acids.
- If a person belongs to a family that has the cancer history then he can be in the high risk of cancer.
A person suffering from the stomach cancer symptoms must have a gastrointestinal series treatment. Patients especially with blood type A can also be in the risk of stomach cancer. It is noteworthy that patients diagnosed at the early stage have good survival rates than others
