Explained: What causes stomach cancer, triggers and steps to lower risk factors

Hyderabad: Do you know that the consumption of spicy and pickled food, soda, tobacco and alcohol can cause stomach cancer? Yes, stomach cancer is the fifth and seventh most common cancer in men and women in India.

The numbers are gradually increasing in India for those in the age group of 50 years and above.

What is the reason behind the increase in incidences of stomach cancer?

Two factors have come to light in the recent research studies in various medical centres across India: environmental and hereditary.

- Environmental factors

This includes the consumption of foods like pickles, salted and smoked.

Regular consumption of processed foods

Smoking and alcohol

Chronic infections such as H pylori infection

Exposure to certain metals and coal

- Hereditary factors

Hereditary factors are mutations of the gene CDH1

Lynch syndrome is due to a mutation in the DNA mismatch repair genes

Li-Fraumeni syndrome due to TP53 gene mutation

Peutz-Jegher syndrome by STK11 gene mutation

Familial adenomatois polyposis by APC gene mutation

In medical history, Dr Nagendra Parvataneni, senior consultant and head of the department of surgical oncology, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, explained, “Do you know that Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French Army general, died at the age of 38 due to stomach cancer? He had hereditary stomach cancer; his brother and two sisters and possibly father’s sister also died of stomach cancer.”

What does the latest research say?

The latest research published in the journal Nature talks about hereditary cancers where the gene mutations can be identified, which will help to treat early and save lives.

Dr Sowmya Korukonda, a consultant surgical oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderguda, said, “The need for early screening is felt as it can improve the survival rate in the person. If diagnosed early, survival in stage one is 75 per cent, stage two is 36 per cent, and stage 3 and 4 is only 7 per cent. The hereditary cancers run in families, and the new research highlights that identifying them early can help to track the disease in the family. This will also help them in diet modifications and lifestyle changes.”

The prevalence of H pylori infection in India

In India, there is a very common prevalence of H pylori infection in the population. This is one of the major risks for stomach cancer in the country.

In those who suffer from cancers at a young age, the role of H pylori is very high, explained doctors.

Do stomach cancers recur?

Yes, it does as it depends on the stage of diagnosis, type of stomach cancer and also the treatment taken.