How to Prevent Stomach Cancer

Though doctors have yet to discover the exact cause of stomach cancer or gastric cancer, there is evidence that some factors increase your risk of having this disease. These factors generally relate to diet and consumption of alcohol or certain preservatives. It is possible to prevent stomach cancer by reducing the number of risk factors present in your life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection
• Physician

1. Prevent stomach cancer by becoming familiar with the risk factors involved. Stomach cancer was much more common when the American diet included more preserved and cured foods, and as a result, researchers have been able to identify key foods to avoid as well as many to incorporate into your diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.
2. Reduce your risk of stomach cancer by avoiding diets that are high in smoked or pickled foods as well as those high in salted meats and fish.
3. Consider eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of stomach cancer. A diet rich in whole grain foods is also recommended by the American Cancer Society.
4. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking to help prevent stomach cancer. Tobacco use has been proven to increase the risk of many types of cancer, including stomach cancer, while consuming large amounts of alcohol has also been shown to contribute stomach cancer.
5. Drink green tea as part of a healthy diet and you may decrease your risk of stomach cancer.
6. Use aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat headaches and pain and you may help to lower the risk of stomach cancer by around 25 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
7. Follow up on any stomach cancer symptoms, such as persistent abdominal pain or excessive vomiting. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss these symptoms, especially if you belong to an at-risk group.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor about the risk factors associated with chronic H pylori infections of the stomach lining and whether you should be treated for these. Though research is ongoing, there are indications that treatment of this chronic condition may lower the risk of developing stomach cancer.
• You have the right to choose your health care provider from a wide enough selection of providers to ensure that you will receive the highest quality care possible.
• Alcoholism and tobacco addiction are both diseases which are highly treatable. Ask your doctor for assistance when quitting smoking and seek intervention if you feel your drinking has gotten out of control. Support groups and behavior modification treatments are available to assist you in this process.

Who Can Help: