Stomach cancer is a slow developing cancer that frequently affects the elderly population. The most common gastric cancer causes are chronic inflammation, male gender, diet, Helicobactor Pylori infection, stomach (gastric) polyps, family history of stomach cancer, smoking, and age. These causes are further discussed in the list below. The early warning signs of stomach cancer are generalized stomach discomfort, and indigestion. In more advanced cases, one may see vomiting, unintentional weight loss, bloody stools, trouble swallowing, and jaundice.
Diagnosis is made by physical exam, imaging, blood work, and endoscopy with biopsy. The common forms of treatment are chemotherapy, and or radiation, and surgical resection of the tumor. Here are some common causes of gastric cancer:
1. Chronic inflammation
Current research points to chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) as being one of the leading causes of stomach cancer. More specifically, Helicobactor Pylori causes the release of an inflammatory cytokine and Interleukin-1 beta, which plays a major role in chronic inflammation developing into cancer.
2. Gender
It has been recently discovered that estrogen protects against stomach cancer. The lack of estrogen in males, places them at a higher risk for developing stomach cancer.
3. Diet
The risk of developing stomach cancer greatly increases with the consumption of large quantities of certain foods. More specifically, salted fish and meat, smoked foods, and pickled vegetables. This can be attributed to nitrates and nitrites, which are found in higher concentrations within these particular foods.
4. Helicobacter Pylori infection
Helicobactor Pylori has been identified as one of the major causes of stomach cancer affecting the lower (distal) portion of the stomach. Chronic infection with this particular bacteria leads to chronic inflammation (chronic atrophic gastritis) which in turn causes precancerous changes to occur within the inner lining of the stomach.
5. Stomach polyps
Stomach Polyps, for the most part are non-cancerous growths of the stomach lining. There are many types of polyps(hyper plastic polyps and inflammatory polyps), but the type that is potentially cancerous is adenomatous polyps.
6. Familial history of stomach cancer
Family history of stomach cancer refers to first degree relatives that have been diagnosed with the condition. A first degree relative refers to parents, siblings, or children.
7. Smoking
Smoking is also a relatively common amongst gastric cancer causes. It tends to affect the upper portion(proximal)of the stomach near the esophagus.
8. Age
Age is a common factor for the development of many forms of cancer, but plays a rather important role in the development of stomach cancer.
