Causes of Stomach Cancer | Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors of Stomach Cancer

Causes and risk factors for stomach cancer:

The incidence of stomach cancer has been declining world wide, but it still remains the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths in the world.
Stomach cancer is primarily disease of the old. It is seen in age group of 55-65yrs.
More prevalence in males is seen.


It has a hereditary tendency.
In recent years, chronic gastritis caused by H. pylori infection is considered to be an important causative factor.

Other factors associated with increased risk for stomach cancer are

  1. Past history of peptic ulcer surgery.
  2. Past history of radiation to abdomen.
  3. Pernicious anemia.
  4. Gastric polyps.
  5. Epidemiological studies have linked consumption of boiled or salted fish and meats to stomach cancer.
  6. Anti-oxidants rich food items such as fresh green-yellow vegetables and citrus fruits are protective.
  7. Excessive intake of salted and pickled foods and fermented foods has been associated with stomach cancer.
  8. Atrophic gastritis occurring due to auto-immune pernicious anemia is also associated with an increased risk for stomach cancer.
  9. Patients with duodenal ulcer have a lower risk of gastric cancer as compared to normal individuals.
  10. Paradoxically those who have undergone gastric surgery for benign ulcers are at high risk.
  11. Other risk factors also include exposure to alpha-toxins, nickel refining and rubber processing.
  12. Living in areas with high nitrate content in soil is also one of the risk factor.
  13. Subjects with blood Group-A are more prone to risk for stomach cancer.


June 8, 2009 | Filed Under Digestive Disorders  
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