Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a treatable cancer
when discovered in its early stages. Unfortunately, however, obvious
symptoms do not occur until the disease is in its later stages. For
this reason, a high percentage of those diagnosed die from stomach
cancer each year.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 21,600 adults will be
diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2013 and that around 11,000 will die
from the disease. If you think you may be at risk, don’t hesitate to
see a gastroenterologist for screening.

The good news is that a new study published in the DailyRX reports
that stomach cancer is actually on the decline in the United States.
After reviewing three decades’ worth of data, researchers determined
that positive health and dietary trends, including regular check ups
with your GI specialist, have contributed to this decline in cases of
stomach cancer. Make sure you are following a healthy lifestyle and
that you contact your gastroenterologist for regular check ups to
reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer and other GI-related
diseases.

The Study: Decline of Stomach Cancer and H. pylori

After analyzing three decades worth of data, Jennifer M. Yeh, MD, and
her colleagues at the Center for Health Decision Science at the
Harvard School of Public Health found staggering changes in the rate
of those diagnosed with stomach cancer. Through resources like
National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES), National
Health Interview Survey, and cancer data from the Surveillance,
Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, researchers were able to
put together a population-based model, which provided accurate data to
mirror their conclusions.

They found that since there has been a decline in H. pylori, a
bacterial infection located in the stomach, fewer cases of stomach
cancer have occurred. The parallel between decreased cases of H.
pylori and stomach cancer is not a coincidence, as people with this
infection are more likely to have stomach cancer and peptic ulcers.

Intestinal-type NCGA cases of stomach cancer, which are more common in
men, have declined by 60% from 1978 to 2008. Using this same model,
scientists predict that the number of men with gastric cancer could
drop another 47% by the year 2040. These numbers are significant and
show the importance of H. pylori treatment and regular stomach cancer
screenings.

Detection and Health Trends Contribute to Decline

Improved medical treatment and a reduction in smoking rates have also
contributed to the decline of stomach cancer. The researchers said a
major reason for this 60 percent decline in NCGA cases among men has
to do with trends relating to H. pylori and smoking. Other reasons for
the decline may include better food preservation and refrigeration, a
healthier overall diet and improvement in environmental conditions and
lifestyle changes. Therefore, further advances in the stomach
screenings and treatments for H. pylori infections will be important
to maintain this strong decline in stomach cancer mortality rates in
the future.

If you are concerned about your gastrointestinal health, don’t hesitate
to contact Dr. Berookim for a consultation today. Certain patients
are more at risk for H. pylori and stomach cancer, like men and those
over 65, so regular check ups are vital. Call the Gastroenterology
Institute of Southern California today at (310) 271-1122 for more
information on stomach cancer prevention.