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The stomach is a crucial digestive organ that receives food from the esophagus, breaks it down with the help of stomach acids, and transfers the digested food to the small intestine. Stomach cancer or gastric cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the stomach. This growth usually begins from the inner lining of the stomach, but can also emanate from the muscle and connective tissue layers.
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not known. However, certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing stomach cancer at some stage of life. You can prevent or lower the risk of stomach cancer by making some dietary and lifestyle changes.
According toreports, just in 2020, about 1 million new cases and 800,000 deaths were reported due to stomach cancer. TheAmerican Cancer Society reported 26,890 new cases of stomach cancer in the USA in 2024.
People generally don’t notice any significant signs during the early stages of stomach cancer. But as cancer continues to grow, the body may start to show some signs and symptoms including:
Cancer involvesmutations or changes in the DNA which contains all the information about the cell and its function. We still don’t fully understand why such mutations occur in the DNA.
However,studies suggest certain factors may be associated with such mutations. These factors don’t always cause cancer, but they certainly increase the risk of developing cancer in any individual. The most common risk factors include:
Areport by the European Journal of Cancer Prevention shows that smoking increases the risk of stomach cancer by 25%.
Other risk factors for developing stomach cancer include health conditions such asgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),gastritis, and exposure to harmful toxins.
The treatment options for stomach cancer depend on how severe the cancer is, your overall health condition, and your preference. Common treatment options include:
Surgery is the preferred treatment option but it’s usually possible only for cases where cancer is tiny and concentrated at one location in the stomach. This involves removing the tumor directly through incision.
Surgical removal of the affected portion of the stomach is calledsubtotal gastrectomy.
In patients where the cancer has spread throughout the stomach, removal of the stomach is also an option. This procedure is called total gastrectomy, and the esophagus is connected directly to the small intestine after removing the stomach.
Chemotherapy involves using various drugs that target and kill cancer cells. It’s not the preferred treatment especially if surgical removal is enough.
But in most cancer cases, doctors use chemotherapy in combination with surgery.
Radiation therapy involves using high-energy radiation to target and kill the cancer cells. This treatment method is often combined with surgery or chemotherapy to gain maximum results.
Your immune system is capable offighting abnormal cancer cells and eradicating them up to a certain limit.Immunotherapy focuses on manipulating the immune system's function to help the immune system identify and kill abnormal cancer cells.
So far, there’s no sure way to prevent stomach cancer entirely. But you can reduce your risk by taking a few preventive measures involving dietary and lifestyle changes. These include:
Dietary changes to prevent stomach cancer involve eating foods that support stomach health and avoiding foods that can damage the stomach.
Foods to eat for preventing stomach cancer are:
A2023 study shows that a greater intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of stomach cancer. These plant-based foods are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, which help protect the stomach from damage.
Reports show that increasing your daily fiber intake by 10g reduces the risk of gastric cancer by 44%. One good way to ensure your daily fiber needs is by opting for afiber powder.
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, andstudies show that vitamin C can prevent H. pylori infection which can otherwise increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
A2023 study shows that garlic contains sulfur compounds that have strong anti-cancer properties. Anotherstudy shows that garlic can help kill H. pylori bacteria and reduce inflammation in the stomach.
Astudy by Oncology Letters journal reveals that eating garlic regularly lowers the risk of stomach cancer by supporting the immune system and reducing harmful bacteria.
Green tea is packed with antioxidants calledcatechins.Studies show that catechins can reduce cancer risk.Research indicates that green tea may help slow down or stop the growth of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach.
Regular green tea intake can protect stomach cells from damage and inflammation, lowering the risk of stomach cancer.
Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, and whole wheat, are high in fiber. Fiber provides arange of benefits for stomach health and significantly reduces the risk of stomach cancer.
Fiber helps move food through the digestive system. This reduces the time harmful substances are in contact with the stomach lining.Studies show that fiber protects the stomach against H. pylori infection, reducing the risk of stomach cancer.
Yogurt containsprobiotics which are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the stomach.Studies show that probiotics fight harmful bacteria like H. pylori in the digestive system.
By lowering the risk of H. pylori infection, probiotics can reduce risk of gastric cancer. So, try incorporating probiotics like yogurt in your diet.
Foods that can harm stomach health and increase your risk of developing stomach cancer include:
Avoiding unhealthy lifestyle habits can lower the risk of stomach cancer. We suggest you:
Quit Smokingbecause the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke candamage the stomach lining which increases the risk of stomach cancer. Besides, giving up on smoking will also improve your overall health.
The early stages of stomach cancer don’t usually cause any symptoms. However, one may experience difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and weight loss in the late stage. Treatment options vary with the severity of the cancer and include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
There’s no sure way to prevent stomach cancer. However, you can lower your risk with the help of dietary and lifestyle modifications. Experts recommend eating fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and avoiding processed foods with excessive spices and preservatives.