by A frequent bacteria driven millions of stomach cancer worldwide – but screening can turn the flood, according to experts.
Scientists from the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) – part of the World Health Organization – project that if nothing is done, around 15.6 million people worldwide are diagnosed with stomach cancer in their lives between 2008 and 2017.
Of these cases, around 11.9 million (76%) are due to an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori).
While the vast majority of new cases will be in Asia (especially in India and China), around two million, 1.7 million in Africa and 1.2 million could occur in America in America.
H. Pylori is a bacteria that is infected by the stomach lining and spread out from person to person and over contaminated food and water.
Research will still be used to spread stomach cancer and another, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
For many people, H. Pylori does not cause any problems and does not require standard treatment of antibiotics, but it can be the cause of continuing digestive disorders, flatulence or nausea.
H. Pylori is detected with a blood test, a breath test or a stool test.
The authors of the latest study are now calling for a stronger investment in the prevention of stomach cancer, especially by population -wide “Screen and Treat” programs for H. Pylori.
However, Cancer Research UK said that the stomach cancer rates in Great Britain have actually dropped – in the past ten years they have dropped by 26% and are expected to continue to decrease by 2040.
The health information manager at Cancer Research UK, Dr. Rachel Orritt, said: “H. Pylori infection increases the risk of stomach cancer, but is not a frequent infection in Great Britain.
“It is also important to note that stomach cancer cases in Great Britain have been decreasing for decades, and they are expected to continue to fall.
“Although this is an important topic worldwide, other avoidable factors in Great Britain cause more cancer cases.
“The possibilities of reducing their risk of cancer include the end of smoking, keeping a healthy weight, reducing alcohol and diet of a healthy, balanced diet.”
For the natural medicine study, scientists examined the incidence of stomach cancer from 185 countries in 2022 and combined them with projections of future deaths.
They examined the potential effects of screen-and-treat strategies for H. Pylori and found that the number of stomach cancer could be reduced by up to 75%.
Asia accounts for two thirds of the projected future cases, with 10.6 million cases (68%of the total amount) followed by America (2 m or 13%), Africa (1.7 million or 11%), Europe (1.2 or 8%) and oceans (0.07 m or 0.4%).
Dr. Jin Young Park, head of the stomach prevention team at IARC and co-author of the study, said: “It is important that health authorities make stomach cancer prevention priority and to accelerate the efforts to control pilot and feasibility projects, including H. Pylori-Screen-and-Treat programs.”
The main symptoms of stomach cancer include heartburn or acid reflux, problems with swallowing, feeling or sick, digestive disorders and impact and feel full when eating.
These symptoms are common and usually caused by other diseases.
Other symptoms are appetite loss or weight loss without an attempt, stomach pain, a clump feeling in the stomach and the feeling of being very tired.
