What causes Stomach Cancer?
First, stomach cancer can be preventable with lifestyle changes, and can be caught early with screenings such as an endoscopy, a stool or blood test. Though its preventable, stomach cancer is still the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, especially in southeast Asia (Japan, China, South Korea).
Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer, which can develop from infections such as Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) if left untreated. Two scientists from Australia won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005 for their discovery. Dr. Anton Bilchik said, “What’s particularly interesting about stomach cancer is that several years ago Australian scientists said in one of the big meetings, ‘everyone is getting this all wrong.’ That stomach cancer is caused by a bacteria called H. pylori, H. pylori which also causes stomach ulcers.” The discovery that H. Pylori causes stomach cancer is credited to Dr. Barry J. Marshall and Dr. J. Robin Warren in the 1980s. This bacterium was shown to be present in patients with gastritis and peptic ulcers, which were previously thought to be the cause of stress or lifestyle factors. About 50 percent of the world’s populations have H. Pylori bacterium in their guts. 1,2,3
“We see about 30 to 40 patients with stomach cancer a year, and unfortunately, many patients that present with stomach cancer have more advanced stomach cancer.”
– Anton Bilchik, MD
Other causes of stomach cancer include diet, high salty and smoked foods and low intake of vegetables and fruit, smoking, family history, long-term stomach inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach polyps, age and gender. Stomach cancers are more common in people over the age of 60 years, and slightly more in men.2
Helicobacter Pylori Tests to Discover Stomach Cancer
There are several tests available to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
- Urea Breath Test: The most common test that involves drinking a special solution containing urea
- Stool Test: Checks for antigens (proteins) associated with H. pylori in your stool
- Blood Test: Detects antibodies to H. pylori
- Upper Endoscopy: Involves a flexible tube with a camera at the tip (endoscope) that is inserted down the esophagus to assess conditions in the throat, stomach, and small intestine. The process involves a biopsy, which is the removal of a small amount of tissue to be tested in a laboratory.
To avoid H. pylori infection involves practicing good hygiene and making dietary adjustments. Wash your hands, especially before and after using the restroom, drink safe water, avoid unsanitary conditions, limit caffeine and spicy foods, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid smoking and excess alcohol.
Listen to expert surgeon Dr. Anton Bilchik account of stomach cancer
Dr. Anton Bilchik, Chief of Surgery at Providence, Saint John’s Health Center
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Symptoms of stomach cancer include indigestion, stomach discomfort, and heartburn.3 According to Dr. Bilchik, stomach pains that don’t go away, losing weight for no explained reason, or using an abundance of anti-acids for acid reflux can be a sign of a developing problem. It’s important to see a doctor for an upper endoscopy if you are experiencing prolonged symptoms. Dr. Bilchik describes the range of symptoms that make assessment more difficult. “The symptoms can be very subtle, a little discomfort, a little reflux, to more extreme, throwing up blood and significant weight loss.”
Detecting stomach cancer early is the best way to treat it before it metastasizes and spreads to other parts of the body. At which point, chemotherapy is recommended either before or after surgery to help improve the success of surgery by shrinking the tumors.
Common Misconceptions of Stomach Cancer
Several misconceptions revolve around stomach cancer include:
- Stomach cancer causes pain. In fact, many people with stomach cancer experience no symptoms or pain.
- Indigestion does not mean you have stomach cancer. It can be a sign but is more common with less severe conditions.4
- Stomach cancer is rare. It’s very prevalent worldwide.4
- You can’t live without your stomach. Patients who undergo surgery to remove part or all of their stomach can still live fulfilling lives with proper diet and medical care.4
- Smokers are most at risk for stomach cancer. As discussed, diet and infections can also cause stomach and other cancers.4
- Cancer itself is not contagious. However, certain infections, such as H. Pylori, can lead to cancer can spread from person to person because it is bacterial.4
Be Your Own Advocate
Being your own advocate is essential when it comes to your health. Often, early-stage cancer is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It can be accidentally found on a routine screening looking for something else, and for some cancers like pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and kidney cancer, there are currently no standardized screening protocols. Being active and being proactive with your health can make the difference, from detecting early-stage cancer to managing a later stage, which is a life-changing experience.
Being your own advocate can look like getting a second opinion, doing research and educating yourself, proactively chasing down answers, asking questions, keeping records, and communicating clearly with healthcare professionals while not jumping to conclusions. It does take a specialist to diagnose cancer.
Remember that you are the most important member of your healthcare team. Advocating for yourself can lead to better health outcomes and a more satisfying healthcare experience.
Learn more about stomach cancer signs, diagnosis, and treatment:
Detecting Stomach Cancer With Galleri® – Multi-Cancer Early Detection
Using advanced genomics techniques, qualified patients can take a blood test that can detect up to 50 different cancers from a single draw, called Galleri®, or Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED). Saint John’s Cancer Institute recently participated in the Galleri® Multi-national Clinical Study under our Director, Dr. Ora Gordon, professor of genetics as principal investigator. Dr. Gordon describes the new MCED program.
A patient of Saint John’s Health Center dicovered stage 2 pancreatic cancer using the Galleri® test. He experienced no symptoms. Learn about Harris Bass’ incredible cancer journey here.
Learn more by calling our regional genetics scheduling line at 818-748-4748. Or visit, Providence.org/Locations/SoCal/Genetics-and-Genomics
Dr. Anton Bilchik
Anton Bilchik, M.D., Ph.D, MBA, FACS is the Chief of General Surgery, Director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Saint John’s Health Center and the Director of the Gastrointestinal Research Program and Professor of Surgical Oncology at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Other specialists consistently refer to Dr. Bilchik for complex GI cases in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area.
This video was captured in February of 2024 by the Saint John’s Cancer Institute Media and Marketing team.
Resources
- https://www.cancer.gov/research/progress/discovery/stomach-cancer
- https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2005/press-release/
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/stomach/symptoms
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths