Five unhealthy lifestyles can easily lead to stomach cancer

To prevent gastric cancer, we must start with "eating". People are advised to develop good eating habits, implement a separate dining system, eat less or no pickled vegetables, smoked and fried foods, quit smoking and limit alcohol. The cause of gastric cancer is very complex and there are many inducing factors. It is currently believed that the following five factors are important causes of gastric cancer.

1. Shared dining

The communal dining system reflects China's emphasis on kinship and family values ​​in diet. Ten pairs of chopsticks reaching into one plate represent solidarity, friendship and unity. However, "10 pairs of chopsticks reaching into one plate" may lead to Helicobacter pylori infection, which is closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer.

Studies have confirmed that the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection rate among adults in areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer in my country is over 60%. Helicobacter pylori can promote the conversion of nitrate into nitrite and nitrosamine, which can cause cancer; Hp infection causes chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and together with environmental pathogenic factors, it can accelerate the excessive proliferation of mucosal epithelial cells, leading to abnormal carcinogenesis; the toxic products of Helicobacter pylori, CagA and VacA, may have a carcinogenic effect, and the detection rate of anti-CagA antibodies in gastric cancer patients is significantly higher than that in the general population.

Countermeasures: The separate dining system can reduce the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori, and it is especially necessary when someone in the family suffers from gastric ulcer. People who have been infected with Helicobacter pylori should receive regular anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment under the guidance of a doctor. If there are multiple people infected with Helicobacter pylori in the family, they should be arranged for simultaneous treatment.

2. Long-term consumption of smoked, roasted, and salted foods

Studies have confirmed that the incidence of gastric cancer is high among people who consume smoked, grilled, and salted foods for a long time, which is related to the high content of carcinogens such as nitrites, fungal toxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods. According to Japanese experience, the incidence of gastric cancer is related to the ownership rate of household refrigerators. When household refrigerators become popular, the incidence of gastric cancer decreases. Nowadays, the usage rate of refrigerators in my country is relatively high, fresh vegetables are guaranteed, and the overall incidence of gastric cancer is on a downward trend. However, in northern my country, people consume a lot of pickled, smoked, and high-salt foods, and the incidence of gastric cancer is still high.

Countermeasure: People who like to eat smoked, grilled and salted foods should reduce the amount and frequency of consumption. Note that smoked or roasted food should not come into direct contact with fire. The smoking or roasting time should not be too long, and the burnt parts should not be eaten. In normal times, you should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to help fight against carcinogens.

3. Smokers

Smoking also has a certain relationship with stomach cancer. Smoke contains various carcinogens such as benzopyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dibenzocarbazole, etc., which are one of the causes of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer. Some people believe that nicotine only enters the lungs and does not hurt the stomach. Little do people know that harmful substances in tobacco can also enter the stomach with saliva, directly stimulating the gastric mucosa, causing submucosal vasoconstriction and spasm, and symptoms of ischemia and hypoxia in the gastric mucosa. If things continue for a long time, it is easy to develop gastric ulcers or even gastric cancer. Studies have shown that smokers have a 50% higher risk of developing stomach cancer than non-smokers.

Countermeasures: Studies have shown that it takes 20 years for smokers to quit smoking before their risk of gastric cancer drops to the level of the normal population. Therefore, smokers should quit smoking as early as possible, the sooner the better. In addition, non-smokers should also prevent the harm of secondhand smoke.

4. Alcoholism

As socioeconomic conditions improve, alcohol intake among the population increases significantly, which offsets the benefits of increased fresh vegetable intake after the use of refrigerators. Studies have shown that although alcohol itself is not a carcinogen, long-term consumption of strong liquor with a high alcohol concentration can not only change the stomach environment, but also stimulate the gastric mucosa of the digestive system, damage the mucosal tissue, accelerate the absorption of carcinogens, and participate in the development of gastric cancer. If you drink and smoke at the same time, the harm is even greater. Because alcohol can enhance the permeability of cell membranes and enhance the absorption of carcinogens in smoke.

Countermeasures: Normally, you can drink rice wine, wine and other low-alcohol drinks in moderation, but should avoid drinking large amounts of liquor and do not drink inferior liquor. It is best to eat a moderate amount of starchy food before drinking to reduce the direct stimulation of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Midnight Snack

Many young people go home and lie down to sleep after having a midnight snack. The short interval between eating and sleeping often increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux. Acid reflux not only brings the uncomfortable feeling of "heartburn", but also damages the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. In addition, if you often eat fried, grilled, or pickled foods for midnight snacks, the carcinogens in them will further damage the stomach, which may cause "atypical hyperplasia" over time, thereby increasing the risk of esophageal and gastric junction tumors. Clinically, 30% of gastric cancer in Europe and the United States occurs in this location.

Countermeasure: Although it cannot be said with certainty that eating midnight snacks has a definite relationship with stomach cancer, frequently eating midnight snacks or eating dinner too late does increase the burden on the stomach. Therefore, avoiding going to bed immediately after a midnight snack, or taking a walk after a meal can also reduce this risk.

In addition to the above five factors, the occurrence of gastric cancer is also related to genetics, but genetics is not the main factor. Clinically, only 1% to 3% of gastric cancer is hereditary.

In short, the mechanism of gastric cancer is very complex. It occurs through the interaction of genetic factors and various carcinogenic factors, none of which can be dispensable. However, gastric cancer does have a great relationship with diet. Therefore, to prevent gastric cancer, we must start with “eating”. It is recommended that people develop good eating habits, practice separate dining, eat less or no pickled vegetables, eat no or less smoked and fried food, do not eat moldy food, do not smoke, drink less, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, ensure drinking water hygiene, adhere to a healthy lifestyle, and relieve work and life pressure.