Up to 15.6 million people born between 2008 and 2017 could develop stomach cancer during their lifetime. This finding comes from a study published in Nature Medicine. According to the authors` estimates, infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the cause in 76 percent of these cases.
H. pylori is a widespread microorganism that resides in the stomach. It triggers chronic inflammation, which can lead to the development of malignancy. Scientists emphasize that stomach cancer remains the fifth most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and the number of cases could significantly increase, particularly in countries across Asia and Africa.
According to the forecast, 10.6 million future diagnoses are projected in Asia, with 6.5 million of those in India and China. In Africa, despite currently low rates, incidence is expected to rise sixfold. Researchers modeled a scenario involving widespread testing and treatment for H. pylori and concluded that such a strategy could potentially reduce stomach cancer incidence by 75 percent.
The study authors note that maintaining cancer registries is challenging in low-resource settings, which means actual data might differ. However, they advocate for investment in early detection and prevention programs for H. pylori as a crucial step towards reducing the global burden of cancer.
Previously, scientists linked air pollution to an increase in various cancers, including lung cancer in non-smokers. Recent evidence further suggests that inhaling smog can induce genetic mutations similar to those caused by active smoking.
