Stomach Cancer Risk Factors & Prevention

Stomach cancer has several known risk factors. Some you can control, others you can’t.

Your diet and lifestyle choices can play a role in the risk for developing this cancer, for example. Using tobacco and drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk, as can a diet high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods.

Some studies also indicate that a diet low in a mineral called selenium, which is present in various nuts, fish, and meats, can increase your risk for the disease.

Risk Factors You Can’t Control
Illnesses that lower the level of acid in your stomach can increase your risk of developing gastric cancer. These include the autoimmune disorder pernicious anemia and a rare illness called Ménétrier disease that causes the growth of large folds in the stomach.

Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which can cause chronic inflammation in the inner layer of your stomach, can also lead to the development of precancerous tissue and gastric lymphoma in some cases.