Gastric cancer can form in any part of the stomach, though it commonly affects the main body and esophagus. If you are diagnosed with gastric cancer, it is likely your treatment will involve surgery and possibly medication, such as Opdivo (Nivolumab) for gastric cancer. Fortunately, though, regulating what you put in your stomach can actually reduce your risk of developing gastric cancer. Here are 5 foods to avoid for gastric cancer prevention:
1. Limit alcohol consumption
According to a large European study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, men who consumed over four drinks per day on average were more likely to develop stomach cancer. While alcohol use has been generally linked to the development of stomach cancer, heavy drinking, particularly beer drinking, has been shown to particularly increase cancer risk; the men who drank more than four drinks a day were 65% more likely to develop stomach cancer than those who were light drinkers. As such, limiting your alcohol consumption by even just one or two drinks a day on average can significantly reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer. If you find yourself struggling to control your drinking habits, consider consulting an addictions specialist.
2. Avoid eating smoked and salted meats
According to the American Cancer Society, frequent consumption of smoked meat and salted fish increase the risk of stomach cancer. What’s more, a study based in India, detailed in an article published in the Journal of Gastroenterology, found that participants who frequently are smoked-dried salted meat were 3 times more likely to develop stomach cancer, and those who frequently ate smoked-dried salted fish were 2.5 times more likely to develop the disease. The high sodium levels in salted and smoked meats can damage the gastric system, and the process of smoking meat can expose it to several different carcinogens.
3. Moderate pickled food
The same Indian study, from the same Journal of Gastroenterology article, also found that those who ate fermented pork fat, which is a traditional Indian food, were 3.4 times more likely to develop stomach cancer. Some other traditional pickling methods also use fermentation, the process of which can produce potentially carcinogenic yeasts and fungi. Moreover, while commercially available pickles in the United States are not usually fermented, they are high in sodium, which has also been linked to gastric cancer.
4. Ditch sugary drinks
Obesity has long been linked to increased risk of stomach cancer, and frequent consumption of sugary soft drinks has long been linked to obesity. Furthermore, research had found a correlation between sugary drinks, including energy drinks and 100% fruit juices as well as soft drinks, and the development of cancer. While this risk comes primarily from the weight gain, and its associated risks, that is commonly linked to sugary drinks, some chemicals found in the drinks may also contribute to the cancer risk. Finally, consuming sugary drinks instead of water can cause dehydration, which can also have negative effects on the gastrointestinal system.
5. Skip highly processed foods
Much like sugary drinks, highly processed foods, such as instant noodles, mass-produced baked goods and desserts, and packaged snacks, primarily raise the risk of cancer by also increasing the risk of obesity. However, studies have also shown that, in general, a 10% increase in the consumption of highly processed foods correlates with an over-10% increased risk of overall cancer.
