Am I at risk?

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Am I at risk?

Types of Cancer

Stomach Cancer

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The exact cause of stomach cancer is not known, but the disease appears to be associated with a number of risk factors. Stomach cancer is more likely to occur in people over the age of 60. It is approximately twice as common in men as in women.

In recent years, a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori has been implicated in the development of stomach cancer. This bacterium - which grows in the mucus-secreting cells of the stomach lining - can cause chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), one of the risk factors for developing stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori has also been implicated in the development of peptic ulcers - areas where the lining of the stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. Antibiotic therapy is very effective against this bacterium; some speculate that this may partially account for the decreasing incidence of stomach cancer in the United States.

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Stomach polyps -noncancerous, grape-like growths that develop on the lining of the stomach and project into the stomach cavity - are also considered possible forerunners of cancer. These cancers can be removed during a procedure known as GI endoscopy.

Chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
Long-term smoking or tobacco use
Age (over 60)
Gender (more common in men)
Dietary factors:
- High intake of smoked or cured meats (which contain preservatives called nitrates)
- High intake of salt
- Diet low in fruit and green leafy vegetables
- High carbohydrate intake
Previous stomach surgery
Family history of stomach cancer
Ethnicity (for unknown reasons, African-Americans have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer than other ethnic groups)

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