Stomach cancer is a very dangerous type of cancer, especially because the symptoms are often vague and have only been detected at a further stage. This disease is more common in men than women, and the risk tends to increase with age.
Due to the high mortality rate, it is important to know the causes and factors that can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. What are the causes and risk factors for stomach cancer? Check out the review in the following article.
Causes Of Lambung Cancer And Risk Factors
Just like cancer in general, stomach cancer is caused by abnormally uncontrolled cell growth in the stomach layer. However, until now, the exact cause of stomach cancer is not yet fully known.
Experts believe that the following key factors contribute to the development of stomach cancer, including:
Helicobacter pylori infection (H. pylori)
Bacterial infections Helicobacter pylori is one of the main factors causing stomach cancer. These bacteria can cause chronic inflammation in the stomach layer, which over time can develop into wounds and eventually pose a risk of cancer.
chronic inflammation in the stomach
chronic inflammation in the stomach (gastritis) can cause changes in stomach mucose cells, which can increase the risk of cancer. This inflammation is often caused by infection H. pylori, consumption of processed foods, processed foods, high eating patterns of salt, and autoimmune diseases.
Also read: Is It True That Stomach Diseases Can Cause Death?
Weight excess and obesity
Excess weight and obesity can increase the risk of stomach cancer. People with obesity are more susceptible to acid reflux, which can damage cells in the stomach.
In addition, people with obesity tend to eat high-fat foods, sugar, and processed foods, which are also associated with increasing the risk of cancer. Lack of physical activity can also worsen conditions and accelerate the growth of abnormal cells.
Bad diet
Eating patterns play a major role in increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Insinated foods, preserved, processed at high temperatures, as well as sweet foods and drinks, can increase the risk of stomach cancer because they can damage cells in the stomach over time.
Also read: Avoid This Food When You Have Stomach Acid Problems
Smoking
Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer, but also significantly increases the risk of stomach cancer. Active smokers have a twice as likely to catch stomach cancer as those who don't smoke.
Cigarette smoke contains various carcinogenic substances that can damage stomach cells, increase the risk of inflammation, and can trigger cancer. Smoking also worsens infection H. pylori, which is the main risk factor for stomach cancer.
Polyp hull
The growth of abnormal tissues in the stomach layer generally forms a harmless polyp. However, some types of polyps, such as polyps of adenophobia, can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Polyp adenophobia is rarer, but more dangerous. This polyp contains cells that can develop into cancer cells, especially if they grow bigger or not disappear for a long time.
In addition to the above factors, a family history with cancer, both stomach cancer and other types of cancer, can also increase the risk of you developing stomach cancer. If you have some of these risk factors, you should immediately consult a doctor or take advantage of consultation services in the application Ai Care by downloading it through App Store or Play Store.
Want to know information about other diseases? Check here, well!
- dr Nadia Opmalina
Cancer Council (2024). Type of Cancer. Available from: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/stomach-cancer
Mayo Clinic (2024). Stomach cancer. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438
American Cancer Society (2021). Stomach Cancer Risk Factors. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Government of Canada (2023). Tobacco and Stomach Cancer. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/tobacco/legislation/tobacco-product-labelling/tobacco-stomach-cancer.html