CAUSES OF STOMACH CANCER. A cancerous growth starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply out of control. Many people develop stomach cancer for no apparent reason. However, certain risk factors increase the chance that stomach cancer may develop. These include: Ageing. Stomach cancer is more common in older people. Most cases are in people over the age of 55. Having a type of anaemia called pernicious anaemia, which causes a lack of vitamin B12, can very slightly increase your risk of stomach cancer. Diet is probably a factor: Countries such as Japan, where people eat a lot of salt, pickled and smoked foods, have a high rate of stomach cancer. Eating a lot of fruit and green vegetables can reduce the risk. Smokers have a higher rate of stomach cancer compared with people who do not smoke. Long-term infection of the stomach lining with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori wich causes stomach ulcers seems to lead to a slightly higher risk of stomach cancer. Gender. Stomach cancer is twice as common in men as in women. If you have had part of your stomach removed in the past for any reason. For example, to treat a stomach ulcer or some other condition. Family history. For some cases, stomach cancer may run in the family. However, most cases of stomach cancer do not run in families and are not inherited. Blood group A. People who have this blood group have a slightly higher risk.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 19:17:53 +0000
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