Gastric cancer accounts for about 6% of cancers worldwide and is the fifth most malignant disease and the third cause of cancer-related death. Many factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer are known, but it is often not clear exactly how these factors may affect how stomach cells turn into cancer cells.

Gastric cancer is a multi-stage and multi-factorial process and the result is a complex interaction between genetics and environmental factors. With the decrease in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and better dietary habits, the absolute incidence rate continues to increase due to the aging of the world population.

Dangerous factors that make a person susceptible to stomach cancer include:

• Infection Helicobacter pylori
• Tobacco use
• Food habits, high consumption of stored salt, smoked foods, red and processed meat, low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Backload virus (EBV)
• Microbial community modifications with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors
Gastric ulcer disease
• Stomach stump after partial gastrectomy
• Gastric polyps.

Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia

Gastric cancer is a multistage process that in most cases involves progression from normal mucosa through chronic gastritis (chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa), mucosal atrophy (loss of gastric glands) and intestinal metaplasia (replacement of gastric epithelium with intestinal epithelium), dysplasia (intraepithelial neoplasia) and carcinoma.

This sequence of events may take several years, which has been named the Correa cascade of multistage gastric carcinogenesis. According to this model, long-term inflammation is the primary pathogenic factor that leads to gastric cancer.

Among environmental factors leading to gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with approximately 90% of new cases of non-cardiac gastric cancers. However, only a small proportion of people with Helicobacter infection develop gastric cancer, suggesting that other factors are involved in the carcinogenesis process, including genetic susceptibility, diet, smoking, and possibly other bacterial species.

Precancerous changes in the stomach

Many changes that are considered cancerous can occur in the inner lining of the stomach.

• In atrophic gastritis, there are fewer or no normal glandular cells in the stomach.
• There is also some degree of inflammation. Atrophic gastritis is often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection.
• In addition, it can be caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system attacks the cells of the stomach. Some people with this disease develop dangerous anemia or other stomach problems, including cancer.
• Another possible precancerous change is intestinal metaplasia. In this condition, the cells that normally line the stomach are replaced with cells that are similar to the cells that normally line the intestines. People with this disease also have chronic atrophic gastritis. This may also be related to Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia have very few glandular cells, cells that normally secrete substances that help protect the stomach.
• DNA damage in these cells can sometimes lead to dysplasia. In dysplasia, the cells are enlarged and look very abnormal (like cancer cells). In some cases, dysplasia can turn into stomach cancer.

>

• Recent research provides information on how certain types of stomach cancer develop. For example, Helicobacter pylori bacteria, especially certain subtypes, can convert substances in certain foods into chemicals that cause changes in the DNA of cells lining the stomach.
• On the other hand, some foods that reduce the risk of stomach cancer, such as fruits and vegetables, contain antioxidants (such as vitamins A and C) that can prevent damage to cellular DNA.
• Cancer, like other cancers, is caused by DNA changes in cells. DNA is the chemical substance that makes up human genes and controls how the body's cells function. We humans are like our parents because they provide our DNA.
• Some genes control the time of growth, new cell division and cell death. Genes that normally help the growth, division and survival of cells can become oncogenes.
• Genes that help control cell division, correct DNA errors, or kill cells at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes.
• Cancer can be caused by DNA changes that turn oncogenes for tumor suppressor genes on or off.
• Gene mutations that cause stomach cancer often occur after birth. Some of these acquired mutations are caused by risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection or smoking. But other genetic mutations may be random events that sometimes occur inside cells and have no external cause.

Can stomach cancer be prevented?

There is no surefire way to prevent stomach cancer, but there are things you can do that can reduce your risk. Stomach cancer prevention means taking measures to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Cancer prevention reduces the number of new cases of cancer in a group or a population. Hopefully, this will reduce cancer deaths. Avoiding factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer and considering protective factors can be effective in preventing this cancer.

Although it is not possible to prevent the occurrence of stomach cancer, we can still reduce the possibility of stomach cancer to some extent by following the points mentioned below.

Nutrition and lifestyle factors play a major role in the prevention and management of cancer, including stomach cancer. There are a few key points about the impact of nutrition on stomach cancer prevention that may seem repetitive, such as the protective effects of eating lots of vegetables and fruits and the possible harmful effects of eating too much red and processed meat. In the following, we discuss various things that can affect the prevention of stomach cancer.

• Consumption of salt and salty foods

High salt intake is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer and is associated with an increased risk of inflammation in the stomach (atrophic gastritis) which may lead to precancerous changes in the cells lining the stomach (intestinal metaplasia).

Although salt improves the taste of food and it is not necessary to eliminate its use completely, but consider adding less salt to food and increase its taste with anti-inflammatory spices such as curry powder, parsley, etc. Garlic powder, lemon powder, lime, vinegar and ginger root can be a good substitute for high salt consumption.

• Consumption of garlic

Garlic contains organosulfur compounds that may help slow or prevent cancer progression and modify cancer risk.

• Alcohol, coffee and green tea

Moderate or heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of stomach cancer, which may be due in part to the local toxic effects of alcohol itself directly on the cells of the stomach lining.

When it comes to coffee and green tea. Research has shown inconclusive results, so at this time there is no recommendation to reduce coffee consumption or increase green tea consumption. However, green tea has a powerful and beneficial antioxidant that protects against cell damage.

• vegetables, fruits

The type of food you eat can have lasting health consequences. Try to include more fresh citrus fruits and raw vegetables in your diet. Also, try to avoid excessive consumption of fish, meat and pickled vegetables that are preserved with salt.

Some studies have shown a significant relationship between high consumption of vegetables and fruits and the prevention of stomach cancer. A study showed that an increase of 10 grams of dietary fiber per day was associated with a 44% reduction in the risk of stomach cancer.

• Citrus consumption

Citrus fruits seem to have a protective effect against stomach cancer due to their high flavonoid content, so include more citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes and grapefruits in your daily diet.

Of course, grapefruit can be harmful if consumed along with some medications, so it is better to consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming grapefruit. On the other hand, lemon is a versatile and simple fruit that you can easily consume. You can add lemon to various foods such as fish, hummus and salad dressings or even squeeze it in water or tea to enjoy its taste in addition to its properties.

• Red meat

High consumption of red meat and processed meats such as smoked or charred meat is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. Processed meats usually contain nitrites that may cause carcinogenic compounds in the body.

Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of red meat, especially processed meat containing nitrites in our diet and to consider suitable alternatives for it. Fortunately, healthy protein sources such as eggs, chicken, fish, seafood and legumes such as peas and hummus can be substituted for red meat and processed meats.

• Supplement of vitamins and minerals

Vitamins A, C, E and selenium are all antioxidants that have been studied in the prevention and treatment of stomach cancer. Low-dose vitamin A supplementation (1.5 mg/day), vitamin C (100 mg/day), and vitamin E (10 mg/day) have been associated with a reduced risk of stomach cancer.

The results of the tests and research done show that taking supplements of vitamins C, E and selenium have a significant reduction in mortality from stomach cancer, so long-term use of supplements may be useful for people who are at increased risk of stomach cancer.

• Maintain proper weight

Maintaining body weight appropriate for gender and height can help reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Regular physical activity and a diet that contributes to a person's overall health may also improve their mental and emotional health.

• Abstaining from alcohol and tobacco

Abstaining from alcohol and tobacco products such as cigarettes and hookah can also reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

• Consumption of aspirin

Research shows that aspirin or ibuprofen may reduce the chance of developing stomach cancer and other diseases.

Guidelines for gastric cancer screening

Because stomach cancer can last for years and may not cause physical symptoms, many people don't realize they have it until it has spread to other parts of their body. Stomach cancer screenings are important because they can help detect the disease in its early stages.

If you think you are at risk of developing stomach cancer, consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor will advise you on which preventive medical measures are appropriate for your particular situation. Currently, there is no standard or routine screening test for stomach cancer, but you can get medical care by consulting your doctor. Early detection of cancer always helps a lot in its treatment. href="https://dr-afzalaghaie.ir/tag/%d9%be%db%8c%d8%b4%da%af%db%8c%d8%b1%db%8c Prevention from stomach cancer previous changes cancer cancer Gastric cancer cause of stomach cancer Atrophic gastritis Intestinal metaplasia Stomach Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Viber Share by email

Team Content

Similar posts

Read it if you are afraid of stomach cancer!

2019-01-22

Everything you need to know about hereditary hemochromatosis.

2021-12-30

Is gastric cancer curable?

2019-02-17

What are the symptoms of gastric acid reflux?

2019-03-18

Write your opinion Cancel response

See also

Close

• Digestive system

  

  functional indigestion and treatment

  2017-12-27