$Unique_ID{BRK01184}
$Pretitle{Digestive System}
$Title{Where Might Stomach Cancer Come From?}
$Subject{stomach cancer cause}
$Volume{I-10}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Where Might Stomach Cancer Come From?


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QUESTION:  A dear member of our family has been discovered to have a stomach
cancer.  We were all a bit shocked at first, and realized that we haven't read
too much about this disease lately.  Is there some reason for this?  Can you
tell us where the disease might have come from?  Could it have resulted from
an undiagnosed ulcer?  Thank you for your help.

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ANSWER:  Stomach cancer, or, as the physicians put it, gastric carcinoma still
is an important disease, the eighth leading cause of deaths due to cancer.  In
1988 an estimated 24,800 Americans were diagnosed to have the disease and
resulted in about 14,400 deaths.  There is great interest in the cause of this
type of cancer for the number of cases seen in the United States has decreased
to about half the number of cases that were seen back in 1930.  The death rate
has diminished from about 38/100,000 population to about 8/100,000 at present.
And researchers are not sure why this has occurred, for the origins of stomach
cancer are not clear and specific cancer causing substances have not been
identified.  Some investigators believe that gastric carcinoma may be related
to factors in the environment.  When people move from areas of the world where
there is a great deal of stomach cancer to places where it is much lower, they
too seem to lose their risk of developing the disease.  One of the factors
that is suspected of being linked to this cancer is a diet that is high in
salted or smoked foods.  Certain occupations such as nickel refining in
Russia, coal mining and farming in Japan and lumber and rubber processing seem
to be associated with a higher risk.  In addition it is more common in the
lower socioeconomic groups.  It occurs more frequently in people with
pernicious anemia, but does not seem to be related to gastric ulcers.  It once
seemed that people with "A" blood type were more susceptible to developing the
disease, but this is no longer thought to be true.  Early diagnosis is not
easy as there are no specific symptoms associated with the disease, although
the complaint of mild stomach discomfort that may be relieved by antacids is
frequent.  A complete examination with appropriate x-ray studies and endoscopy
and biopsy can lead to an accurate diagnosis.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
