Healthy habits are essential to reduce the likelihood of stomach cancer. A correct diet, based on the consumption of fresh and natural products, and avoiding processed foods and excess salt and nitrites and nitrates, is key. In addition, it is important to reduce or eliminate tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as to control infections such as Helicobacter pylori.
Increasing physical exercise also plays a crucial role in the prevention of this type of cancer. Implementing these changes not only helps prevent stomach cancer, but also improves overall health.
Why is it important to prevent stomach cancer?
Gastric cancer accounts for 3.2% of all neoplasms diagnosed worldwide, with an incidence in Spain of approximately 7,865 cases (4,863 men and 3,002 women) and a mortality rate of 5,154 patients, according to data from the Spanish Digestive System Foundation.
It is crucial to understand that the later the cancer is diagnosed, the worse the prognosis and the more difficult it is for treatment to work. This is because the effectiveness of treatment depends on the spread of the cancer, both in the stomach and in nearby lymph nodes and organs. Therefore, early diagnosis facilitates treatment, shortens recovery time and improves cancer prognosis.
Risk factors for stomach cancer
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common factors in the development of gastric cancer, affecting about 50% of the population. This bacterium can cause gastroduodenal ulcers, which can be cured permanently by eradicating the bacteria with proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics.
However, it is not only Helicobacter pylori that is responsible for gastric cancer. Poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy habits also contribute to its development. Reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods, excess salt, tobacco and alcohol, along with regular exercise, can significantly reduce the chances of developing this cancer.
Although the occurrence of cancer cannot be 100% controlled, preventive measures can be implemented to minimise the likelihood. These changes include a diet based on fresh, healthy produce, the reduction or elimination of ultra-processed foods, the abuse of salt, nitrates and nitrites (found in canned foods), alcohol and tobacco, and the incorporation of regular physical exercise. These controllable factors are key to reducing the risk of developing gastric cancer.
Healthy eating to reduce risk
– Foods that promote stomach health
Eating foods that are healthy for the body is always good for proper gastrointestinal health, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidant-rich foods, or whole grains that support the intestinal tract.
– What to avoid to reduce the risk
To reduce the risk of gastric cancer, it is essential to avoid certain foods and habits. Ultra-processed foods, as well as those rich in salt, should be eliminated from the diet. This includes salty sauces and meats and fish that have been smoked or cured with salt such as sausages. Canned meat or fish because of their high salt, nitrate and nitrite content is also identified as a risk factor. In addition, it is very important to reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption as much as possible, or better yet, to eliminate them completely.
Adopting these dietary and lifestyle changes can contribute significantly to the prevention of gastric cancer and to the improvement of general health.
Importance of regular check-ups
In addition to adopting healthier habits, frequent medical check-ups are essential, even if you are not genetically predisposed to developing gastric cancer. These regular check-ups can detect conditions that could eventually lead to the development of cancer.
One of the most common tests when gastric cancer is suspected is upper endoscopy or gastroscopy. This procedure, which is performed under sedation, involves inserting an endoscope down the throat, allowing the doctor to look at the inner lining of the oesophagus, stomach and first section of the intestine, and to take biopsy samples.
As Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common causes of stomach cancer, specific tests are performed to detect it, such as breath tests or stool analysis.
Healthy lifestyle: key to prevention
Additional Steps to Prevent Gastric Cancer
Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Smokers and alcohol users have up to three times the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to non-smokers. Alcohol can damage cells in the mouth and throat, making it easier for carcinogens in tobacco smoke to be absorbed.
Maintaining a healthy weight
People with obesity produce higher levels of insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for cancer. In addition, obesity is associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as gallstones or non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis, which cause oxidative stress and DNA damage. Obesity also complicates cancer diagnostic tests and decreases anti-tumour immunity.
Reducing stress and taking care of mental health
Prolonged or chronic stress can cause digestive problems, heart disease and a weakened immune system. Although not directly linked to the development of cancer, some studies suggest a possible incidence. Physical exercise or relaxing activities such as yoga can help reduce stress and improve physical and mental health.
What to do if you have a family history?
The main thing is always to know your family history. Together with strict surveillance by specialised doctors, genetic testing for early detection, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding any risk factors, and improving your health, you can reduce the chances of cancer occurring.
Advances in the prevention of stomach cancer
Currently, there is no vaccine against Helicobacter pylori, but antibiotics are available for its treatment. The presence of H Pylori can be detected by a simple breath or stool test or by biopsy during gastroscopy. This treatment combines a proton pump inhibitor with two antibiotics and sometimes bismuth subsalicylate. Doctors usually confirm the success of the treatment approximately four weeks after it is started.
Although cancer cannot be completely prevented, it is possible to reduce the chances of it originating in the body. The key points to keep in mind are:
– Maintain a balanced and healthy diet to avoid gastric problems.
– Maintain good general health, reducing stress and taking physical exercise.
– Reduce excesses such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, which are frequent causes of cancer.
– Get checked in the event of symptoms or family predisposition.
Adopting these habits can contribute significantly to the prevention of cancer and to the improvement of general health.
