Stomach cancer pains are thought to be caused by ‘stomach ulcer’ or ‘gastritis’, and the problem can be neglected, which may lead to a delay in treatment. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Erman Aytaç, warning of the vital importance of early diagnosis in gastric cancer, said, “Thanks to early diagnosis, patients can continue their lives for many years without any problems. For this reason, complaints such as abdominal pain, bloating after eating and indigestion, which are usually the first symptoms of stomach cancer, should be consulted to a physician without delay.
More importantly, it is possible to partially prevent stomach cancer by paying attention to ‘modifiable’ risk factors. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Erman Aytaç talked about 12 factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer; Gave important information!
12 IMPORTANT RISK FACTORS FOR STOMACH CANCER!
ADVANCED AGE
The incidence of gastric cancer increases with advancing age. General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Erman Aytaç says that the risk of gastric cancer increases after the age of 50.
It is more common in men
Stomach cancer occurs 2 times more often in men than in women. It is thought that estrogen hormone secreted in higher amounts in women has a protective effect against Helicobacter Pylori infection, which increases the risk of gastric cancer.
GENETIC FACTOR
If there is a history of stomach cancer in first-degree family members such as mother, father and siblings, the risk of developing this disease is higher than the normal population. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a physician who is an expert in this field to evaluate the risk.
HELICOBACTER PYLORI
Helicobacter Pylori (HP) is a bacterial genus that is frequently encountered in the stomach. Helicobacter Pylori, which is seen as a bacterium responsible for gastritis formation, is known to be more common in patients with gastric cancer. “However, it should not be deduced from this table that gastric cancer will occur in every person with Helicobacter Pylori in his stomach.” Dr. Erman Aytaç, “Because in some societies where Helicobacter Pylori is common, the rate of gastric cancer is low. Therefore, in addition to this bacterium, other risk factors are also extremely important.
EXCESSIVE SALT CONSUMPTION
Excess salt consumption is among the important factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer. The World Health Organization recommends that daily salt consumption should not exceed 5 grams.
SALTED, SMOKED FOODS
The World Health Organization reports that 30 percent of cancers in developed countries are related to nutrition. For example, in geographies such as Japan where salted and smoked foods are consumed heavily, stomach cancer is more common. It is thought that barbecued meat, which is widely consumed in our country, may also be a risk factor. This may be related to salting of the meat and burning it while cooking. Similarly, large amounts of processed meat or fried foods, sauces and spicy foods, or foods contaminated with aflatoxin (like mold on stale bread) increase the risk. General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Erman Aytaç says, “Just as overconsumption of salted and smoked foods increases the likelihood of developing stomach cancer, on the contrary, eating plenty of raw vegetables and fruits, vitamin C and antioxidant substances can have a positive effect on protection from this cancer.”
SMOKING USE
Smoking is a risk factor for stomach cancer, as it is for many cancers. In fact, the risk increases 4 times as the intensity and duration of smoking increases.
OBESITY
Obesity, which is an important problem of our age, also increases the risk of stomach cancer. Factors such as toxic substances in the body that increase with obesity, oxygenation disorder that increases cancer development at the cell level, and weakening of the defense system can facilitate the development of stomach cancer.
SOME PROFESSIONS
Workers in certain occupations (such as those exposed to wood smoke or asbestos fumes, metal, plastic and mining workers) are at greater risk for stomach cancer.
BLOOD GROUP A
Gastric cancer is more common in people with blood group A. Although the exact cause is unknown, this is explained by the fact that people with blood type A are more susceptible to Helicobacter Pylori infection.
SOME DISEASES
In some diseases involving the large intestine (familial adenomatous polyposis and familial nonpolyposis colorectal cancer), the possibility of gastric cancer increases.
Pernicious anemia, a type of anemia caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12, also increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Gastric cancer is more common in patients with atrophic gastritis (chronic inflammation resulting in the loss of epithelial cells and glands of the mucous layer lining the inside of the stomach).
Studies have shown that the ebstein-barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, known as the kissing disease in the community, has an effect on the development of gastric cancer.
HAVE STOMACH SURGERY
General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Erman Aytaç, pointing out that the risk of developing this cancer has increased over the years in those who have had gastric surgery in the past, especially in patients whose stomach has been removed, says: