Although it’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, you don’t have to stomach stomach cancer! Reduce your risk of stomach cancer by changing some lifestyle habits.
The Statistics
- Almost two thirds of people with stomach cancer are 65 or older.
- The risk of a person developing stomach cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 114.
- Men have a slightly higher risk than women.
Contributing Factors
- Smoking
- H. Pylori infection (a common cause of stomach ulcers)
- High intake of salted and smoked foods
- Inadequate fresh fruit and vegetable intake
Risk Reduction
Take steps to reduce your risk with a fresh, well-balanced diet. Make sure you’re getting enough of the following:
1. Vitamin C
Enjoy citrus fruits, red bell peppers and broccoli. Lightly steam veggies to retain Vitamin C. High temperatures and long cooking times destroy more of the vitamin.
2. Carotenoids
The beta carotene in carrots, the lutein in spinach and the lycopene in cooked tomatoes are chemo-protective. Think veggie pizza with a spinach salad on the side.
3. Allium
Garlic, onions, leeks and chives contain this anti-cancer compound. You can sprinkle chopped green onions on just about anything from omelets to soups.
4. Green tea
At least five cups a day of green tea may reduce your risk of stomach cancer by up to 14 percent. Try one or two cups a day to start.
References: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Green Tea Consumption and Stomach Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis. Epidemiol Health (Kanh, Hyunseok, et al.)
Information for this article was provided by Shield HealthCare’s Corporate Registered Dietician.
