7 Lifestyle Habits that can Help Prevent Gastric Cancer

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world, and it is also one of the deadliest, with five-year survival rates of only 26 percent.

But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing this deadly disease. Here are 7 lifestyle habits that can help prevent gastric cancer.

What is Gastric Cancer?

Before we get into the lifestyle habits that can help prevent gastric cancer, let’s first take a look at what this disease is.

Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, begins in the lining of the stomach. This type of cancer can spread to other body parts, including the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.

There are two main types of gastric cancer: adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of gastric cancer, accounting for 95 percent of all cases. Lymphoma is a much rarer form of the disease and is usually found in the lower part of the stomach.

That said, the following habits can help reduce your risk of developing gastric cancer, no matter what type you may be at risk.

1. Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading risk factors for gastric cancer, and smokers are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than non-smokers.

If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. Many resources are available to help you stop, including counseling, medication, and support groups.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of gastric cancer. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in processed meats have been shown to reduce the disease risk.

3. Avoid Excess Weight

Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for gastric cancer. Studies have shown that people who are obese are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than those at a healthy weight.

If you are overweight, losing even a little bit of weight can significantly reduce your risk of gastric cancer.

4. Get Regular Exercise

Exercise has many benefits, including reducing the risk of gastric cancer. Studies have shown that physically active people have a lower risk of the disease than inactive people.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.

5. Limit Alcohol Intake

Drinking too much alcohol is a risk factor for gastric cancer. If you drink, it’s essential to limit your intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women.

6. Avoid Infection with H. pylori

  1. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and lead to gastric cancer. This infection is more common in developing countries but can occur anywhere in the world.

If you are infected with H. pylori, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

7. Get Tested for H. pylori

If you have any risk factors for H. pylori infection, your doctor may recommend that you get tested for the bacteria. This test can help detect the disease early so it can be treated before it leads to gastric cancer.

These are just a few lifestyle habits that can help prevent gastric cancer. By making these changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing this deadly disease.

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