Cancer of the Stomach

I couldn't avoid the news stories about an increase in stomach cancer in a segment of our population. Interesting the researchers say, because the rates per 100,000 persons in other groups actually went down. This time the disparity is in white people and in young white people. The overall incidence is still low for all of us. But the news stories triggered my curiosity on the cancer itself.

First - stomach cancer includes upper and lower. The reports this week were specific to the lower stomach. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) - which doesn't differentiate between the two types of stomach or gastric cancer, states that the suspected links are the bacteria H. pylori that also can cause ulcers, chronic inflammation of the stomach, and then your usual suspects - family history, smoking and poor diet - inactivity - obesity.

In the news out this week, the suggestion is that the highly processed and salty diet of Americans is to blame for the increase of new cancer cases in the 25-39 year old age group, along with a deficit of fruits and vegetables.

Another reason why regulations on salt in prepared foods makes sense.

I also wanted to take a look at the American Cancer Society (ACS) numbers for this cancer. The statistics they offer are for 2009. The projection for stomach cancer was just over 21,000, with more males than females and the total deaths were about 10,000 - more males than females. The NCI states on its website that about 13,000 men and 8,000 women die from the disease every year, but that most are over age 70. So there may be a bigger increase in one age group but that does not mean a greater prevalence. Prevalence is who has the disease not who was just diagnosed with it - that is incidence. Still, the ACS states that we have a 1 out of 112 chance of developing the disease, which I consider high. Well, I did until I looked up the chance for lung cancer which is different for men and women and is averaged for smokers and non so it is around 1 in 14 - but lower if you do not smoke and higher if you do.

Okay, well prostate is the most common for men and breast for women, so lets compare that - WOW one out of six men could be diagnosed with prostate cancer and one of out eight women may get breast cancer.

So indeed stomach cancer is not the leading type of cancer for incidence or death rate but the fact that it is on the rise should be disconcerting. (It does not make the top ten list for men or women, in this country)