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Causes and Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer

By Lisa Fayed, About.com

Updated: April 25, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

What causes stomach cancer?:
We do not know exactly what causes stomach cancer. However, research has defined several risk factors for the disease. Having a risk factor does not mean you will absolutely develop the disease; it only means you have a higher chance of developing it.
What are the Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer?:
The following are risk factors for stomach cancer:
Being male.:
Males develop stomach cancer at a higher rate than females.
Previous or family history of the disease. :
Having a mother, father, sister or brother with stomach cancer can increase your risk factor. If you have had the disease previously, you also carry the risk of it coming back.
Smoking cigarettes.:
Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, it it bad for your whole body! I cannot relay one good thing about smoking. The carcinogens in cigarettes are detrimental to your health!
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach. :
H. pylori. bacteria that cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. People with H. Pylori infections may be more likely to develop stomach cancer.
Chronic gastritis.:
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach. Having it chronically increases the risk factor for stomach cancer.
Old age.:
Unfortunately, old age brings many conditions, and cancer can be one of them.
A diet high in salted, smoked, or poorly preserved foods.:
These foods may be yummy for some, but not so great on our stomachs. Avoiding these foods can greatly reduce your risk of stomach cancer.
A diet low in fruits and veggies. :
Listen to your mother and eat those fruits and veggies! Fruits and veggies are high in cancer fighting antioxidants.
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