Latest news with #stomachCancer
Sustainability Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'Stop Stomach Cancer Now': This Game-Changing H. Pylori Treatment Could Be the Lifesaving Answer You've Been Waiting For
IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 Screening and treating Helicobacter pylori infections could prevent up to 75% of future stomach cancer cases. and treating infections could prevent up to 75% of future stomach cancer cases. 📈 The study projects 15.6 million new gastric cancer cases globally, with Asia bearing the highest burden. 💊 Cost-effective prevention strategies, similar to vaccination campaigns, can significantly reduce the global incidence of stomach cancer. 🌍 Tailored interventions for different income regions are crucial for effective implementation and success. Stomach cancer, a formidable health challenge, has alarmingly risen among young adults worldwide, becoming a pressing issue that warrants immediate attention. Recent research has highlighted a promising preventive measure: the targeted treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. This bacterium is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer, yet it is preventable and treatable. The study underscores the potential of screening and treating H. pylori infections to avert the majority of future stomach cancer cases, offering hope in the fight against this deadly disease. Understanding the Rise of Stomach Cancer The global incidence of stomach cancer has seen a disturbing increase, particularly among individuals under the age of 50. This trend has been linked to chronic infections with H. pylori, the most potent known risk factor for the disease. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has conducted extensive research to project future trends in stomach cancer incidence. Their findings reveal that if current prevention and treatment strategies remain unchanged, around 15.6 million new cases of gastric cancer will emerge among those born between 2008 and 2017. The research highlights that a staggering 76% of these cases are attributable to H. pylori infections, suggesting that they are potentially preventable. Alarmingly, the burden is expected to be highest in Asia, with 10.6 million cases, followed by the Americas and Africa. This data underscores the urgent need for effective public health interventions to address this rising health threat. Cold Plunges Are a Scam for Women and Science Just Dropped the Mic on This Freezing Hot Fitness Fad The Role of H. Pylori in Gastric Cancer Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining, leading to chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer. Despite being a major health concern, H. pylori is a preventable risk factor. The standard treatment involves antibiotics combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce stomach acid production, effectively targeting the infection. Given its significant role in gastric cancer, addressing H. pylori infections presents a viable strategy to curb the disease's incidence. The study suggests that comprehensive screening and treatment programs could potentially reduce stomach cancer cases by up to 75%. Even partially effective programs, achieving 80% to 90% efficacy, could prevent 60% to 68% of cases, demonstrating the immense potential of such interventions. « This brewing habit could silently hurt you »: these common coffee preparation methods directly linked to increased heart disease risk Implementing Effective Prevention Strategies The implementation of a H. pylori screening and treatment program requires strategic planning and investment. Researchers advocate for population-based interventions, tailored to the economic realities of different regions. In high-income countries, endoscopy-based screening and insurance-supported treatments could be effective, while in lower-income regions, population-level screening and early treatment could be more feasible and impactful. These strategies are cost-effective, akin to vaccination campaigns for HPV or hepatitis B, and could significantly reduce the global burden of stomach cancer. The study stresses the importance of developing an H. pylori vaccine, which could further revolutionize prevention efforts, offering a long-term solution to this global health challenge. 'Your Breath Is a Signature': Scientists Reveal Human Breath Is as Unique and Traceable as a Fingerprint Addressing Challenges and Moving Forward Despite the promising nature of the findings, the study acknowledges several limitations. Many low-income countries lack comprehensive cancer registries, potentially leading to data underestimation. Moreover, assumptions about the constancy of H. pylori prevalence and cancer incidence rates could affect the accuracy of projections. Nonetheless, the research provides a compelling case for increased investment in gastric cancer prevention. By prioritizing the eradication of H. pylori, public health systems can significantly reduce the incidence of stomach cancer. The study advocates for targeted, evidence-based interventions that consider demographic trends and regional disparities. As scientists and policymakers collaborate to tackle this issue, the potential to save millions of lives becomes increasingly tangible. The fight against stomach cancer is a global health priority, particularly as it increasingly affects younger populations. By focusing on effective prevention strategies, such as the treatment and eradication of H. pylori, we can pave the way for a healthier future. What further innovations and collaborations might emerge in the quest to combat this deadly disease? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.3/5 (25)
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Common food and waterborne bug to blame for millions of cases of ‘silent cancer' mistaken for heartburn
A COMMON bug lurking in food and water is driving millions of cases of cancer worldwide, experts warn. New research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, reveals that around 15.6 million people born between 2008 and 2017 will face stomach cancer in their lifetime. 1 Of these cases, some 11.9 million (76 per cent) will be due to infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It's a common stomach bacteria spread through person-to-person contact and contaminated food or water. Asia bears the brunt of new cases, with countries like India and China hardest hit. But the Americas might see as many 2 million cases, Africa 1.7 million, and Europe 1.2 million. H. pylori is a bacteria that infects the lining of the stomach. Detecting the bug is simple, using blood, breath or stool tests, and treatment typically involves antibiotics. But most people never realise they're infected. This is because when symptoms do appear, they can easily be mistaken for run-of-the-mill indigestion, which can cause bloating, nausea, heartburn, or feeling full quickly after eating. Other symptoms include loss of appetite or losing weight without trying, stomach pain, a lump feeling at the top of the stomach and feeling very tired. Experts say this could be fuelling a surge in stomach cancer, often dubbed a 'silent killer' because symptoms are vague and easy to ignore. Netflix star Rob 'The Rabbit' Pitts dies at 45 following health battle after telling fans goodbye in heartbreaking clip Scientists are still working to understand exactly how the bug causes cancer. It's also been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. The authors of the study, published in Nature Medicine, are now calling for greater investment in the prevention of stomach cancer, particularly through population-wide "screen and treat" programmes for H. pylori. However, Cancer Research UK said stomach cancer rates in the UK have actually been falling - over the last decade, they have dropped 26 per cent and are projected to fall further by 2040. Dr Rachel Orritt, a health information manager at the charity, said: "H. pylori infection increases the risk of stomach cancer, but it's not a common infection in the UK. "It's also important to note that stomach cancer cases have been decreasing in the UK for decades, and they're expected to continue to fall. "Although this is an important issue worldwide, in the UK other preventable factors cause more cancer cases. "Ways to reduce your cancer risk include stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy, balanced diet." For the study, scientists examined the incidence of stomach cancer from 185 countries in 2022 and combined it with projections of future deaths. They looked at the potential impact of screen-and-treat strategies for H. pylori and found the number of stomach cancers could be cut by up to 75 per cent overall. Asia accounts for two thirds of projected future cases, with 10.6 million cases (68 per cent of the total), followed by the Americas (2m or 13 per cent), Africa (1.7 million or 11 per cent), Europe (1.2m or 8 per cent), and Oceania (0.07m or 0.4 per cent). Dr Jin Young Park, leader of the gastric cancer prevention team at IARC and co-author of the study, said: "It is essential that health authorities make gastric cancer prevention a priority and accelerate efforts to control it by planning pilot and feasibility projects, including H. pylori screen-and-treat programmes."
