| Over the last few years, scientists have | | | | contributes to stomach cancer, though this has |
| discovered compelling evidence that green tea | | | | not been proven. |
| protects our bodies against many serious | | | | Obesity: Obesity increases your risk of developing |
| diseases, including cancer. Though the research | | | | stomach cancer, particularly in the part of your |
| continues, it seems that it's safe to conclude that | | | | stomach closest to your esophagus. |
| adding green tea to your diet is likely a great way | | | | Having Previous stomach surgery: Certain types |
| to protect your health. | | | | of stomach surgery, including surgery to remove |
| One of the most serious cancers in our time is | | | | part of the stomach for treatment of ulcers or |
| stomach cancer. Though its incidence has declined | | | | other diseases, increases the risk of developing |
| in recent years, it is still the second most | | | | stomach cancer later on. |
| common cancer in the world. In addition, chronic | | | | Having Type A Blood - Scientists don't really |
| gastritis is a common problem today, and many | | | | know why, but people with Type A blood have a |
| doctors believe that those with chronic gastritis | | | | slightly higher risk of developing stomach cancer. |
| are more likely to develop stomach cancer in the | | | | History of Cancer in your family - If you have |
| future. | | | | first degree relatives who have had stomach |
| In Yangzhong, China, researchers from the UCLA | | | | cancer, colorectal cancer or breast cancer, you |
| School of Public health studied a total of 732 | | | | have an increased risk of developing stomach |
| patients. 133 of these patients had stomach | | | | cancer. There are certain inherited genetic |
| cancer, 166 had chronic gastritis and 433 were | | | | disorders that make you more prone to certain |
| healthy and used for control purposes. | | | | cancers. If your family members have had these |
| After adjusting the study for age and other | | | | other cancers, you may possess this genetic |
| factors like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption | | | | disorder. |
| and body mass index, the study concluded that | | | | Stomach polyps: Polyps are non-cancerous |
| drinking green tea did, in fact, reduce your overall | | | | growths on the lining of the stomach that can |
| risk of developing gastritis and stomach cancer. | | | | turn into cancer. One particular type of polyps, |
| This news is very exciting; particularly to those | | | | called adenomas appear to increase your risk of |
| who are at high risk for developing gastritis and | | | | developing stomach cancer. |
| stomach cancer. | | | | Geography: Stomach cancer is most common in |
| Who should be concerned about developing | | | | Japan, China, Southern and Eastern Europe, and |
| stomach cancer? | | | | South and Central America. It is least common in |
| As with any other disease, there are certain | | | | Northern and Western Africa, South Central Asia, |
| factors that make you more susceptible to | | | | and North America. |
| developing stomach cancer. Following are risk | | | | Epstein-Barr virus: This is the virus causes |
| factors for developing this type of cancer. You | | | | infectious mononucleosis. Almost everyone is |
| can better assess your risk by seeing how many | | | | infected with the virus at some time in their lives, |
| of these risk factors apply to you. | | | | and it has been linked to some forms of |
| Helicobacter pylori infection: This infection of the | | | | lymphoma. But, it has been detected in 5-10% of |
| stomach is fairly rare in the US, but can be found | | | | people with stomach cancer, too. It usually causes |
| among many people in other countries, including | | | | a slow growing, less aggressive cancer. Doctors |
| Eastern Europe. Many doctors believe that long | | | | don't quite understand the relationship between |
| term infection with this bacteria is a major | | | | this virus and cancer. |
| contributor to development of stomach cancer. | | | | Other Factors: Stomach cancer is more than |
| The infection usually leads to chronic gastritis and | | | | twice as common in men as it is in women, and is |
| makes changes to the lining of the stomach, | | | | more common in Hispanics and African Americans |
| which can cause cancer. | | | | than in non-Hispanic whites. It is most common in |
| Diet - Those who eat a large amount of smoked | | | | Asians and Pacific Islanders. It is also more |
| foods, salted fish and meats and pickled | | | | common after the age of 50, with a significant |
| vegetables have a higher risk of developing | | | | increase in incidence once you reach your late |
| stomach cancer. These products contain large | | | | 60's. |
| amounts of nitrites, which are believed to lead to | | | | If you have more than three of these risk |
| cancer. On the other hand, if your diet is rich with | | | | factors, you may need to be concerned about |
| fresh fruits and vegetables, you can reduce your | | | | the development of stomach cancer later in life. |
| risk of stomach cancer. | | | | Drinking green tea, along with a diet rich in fruits |
| Tobacco and alcohol abuse: Your risk of | | | | and vegetables may be one of the most |
| developing stomach cancer doubles if you smoke. | | | | important things you can do to protect your |
| In addition, it is believed that alcohol abuse also | | | | health. |