1、 Introduction to gastric cancer.
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Its incidence rate ranks first among all kinds of tumors in China. Every year, about 170000 people die of gastric cancer, nearly 1/4 of all deaths from malignant tumors. Every year, more than 20000 new gastric cancer patients emerge. Gastric cancer is indeed a disease that seriously threatens people's health. Gastric cancer can occur at any age, but is more common between the ages of 40 and 60, with a male to female ratio of about 2:1. Gastric cancer can occur in any part of the stomach, but is more common in the antrum, especially on the lesser curvature of the stomach. According to the depth of infiltration of cancer tissue, it is divided into early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer (middle and late stage gastric cancer).
2、 What are the early symptoms of gastric cancer?
Often not obvious, such as unpredictable upper abdominal discomfort, dull pain, belching, acid reflux, decreased appetite, mild anemia, etc., some symptoms are similar to gastric and duodenal ulcers or chronic gastritis. Some patients take painkillers, anti ulcer drugs, or dietary adjustments to reduce or relieve pain, which is often overlooked and not further examined. As the condition progresses, stomach symptoms gradually become more obvious, including upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia. In the later stage, cancer often metastasizes, abdominal masses, enlarged lymph nodes on the left clavicle, black stool, ascites, and severe malnutrition. As gastric cancer is extremely common and harmful in China, relevant studies believe that its causes are related to dietary habits, stomach diseases, etc. Therefore, understanding the basic knowledge about gastric cancer is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.
3、 Why do we get precancerous lesions of gastric cancer?
The etiology and pathogenesis of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer have not been fully elucidated. Currently, it is believed that precancerous lesions of gastric cancer are caused by various factors, which may be related to Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary habits, immune factors, genetic factors, physical factors, metal contact, and radiation. Based on clinical practice and experimental research, it is believed that precancerous lesions of gastric cancer are mainly caused by the following reasons:
1. Helicobacter pylori infection: Helicobacter pylori can be cultured in most patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer, so Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the important causes.
2. Dietary habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, long-term intake of large amounts of irritating foods, and drugs that damage the gastric mucosa (such as salicylates, prednisone, indomethacin), are also major factors in precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.
3. Immune factors: In the blood, gastric juice, or plasma cells of patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer, wall cell antibodies or intrinsic factor antibodies can often be found, so it is believed that autoimmune reactions are related to its etiology.
4. Physical factors: The older the age, the weaker the "resistance" of the gastric mucosa function, making it more susceptible to external adverse factors and causing damage.
5. Genetic factors: Gastric precancerous lesions have a familial genetic tendency, but genetic studies on most members of gastric cancer families have not found a specific single genetic gene. Experts unanimously believe that gastric precancerous lesions are a polygenic susceptibility disease.
6. Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, copper, and zinc can cause damage to the gastric mucosa and lead to precancerous lesions.
7. Radiation: Radiation therapy for ulcers or other tumors can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, even atrophy, and can also lead to precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.
4、 Who is prone to precancerous lesions of gastric cancer?
Long term excessive stress, anxiety, depression and other negative emotions: increased secretion of gastric acid and other substances under stress, and disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier, may all induce precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.
1. People with irregular diet. 2. Elderly people. 3. Long term exposure to heavy metals. 4. Family members with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.
5、 How to prevent stomach cancer in daily life?
1. Avoid moldy or spoiled food.
2. Prohibit high salt diets.
3. Avoid excessively stimulating foods such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
4. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited.
5. Patients after surgery should avoid consuming milk, sugar, and high carbohydrate diets to prevent the occurrence of dumping syndrome.
6. Eat less or avoid smoked foods and excessively pickled vegetables.
7. Avoid eating spicy and pungent foods such as coriander, cumin, pepper, chili, onion, mustard, garlic, etc.
8. Fatty and phlegm producing foods: such as fatty meat, fatty chicken, fatty duck, various sweet foods (with high sugar content), cream, cheese, etc.
9. Traditional Chinese medicine considers "hair" substances such as lamb, scaleless fish, pig head meat, animal organs, seafood such as shrimp and crabs, roosters, dog meat, silkworm pupae, etc.
10. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking and alcohol can only accelerate the progression of diseases, causing harm but no benefit. Winter is a good season to nourish and protect the stomach. People with gastritis, combined with irregular diet, may have stomach cancer getting closer and closer to you. Japanese medical experts have conducted years of research on the dietary habits of people aged 30-40 and found that 38.4% of gastric cancer patients have irregular dinner times.
The key issue in preventing gastric cancer lies in early detection. Census is an important measure for early detection of gastric cancer, for those aged 40 and above. Individuals with a long history of stomach diseases or those who have experienced significant stomach symptoms in recent months should be included in the census. Avoiding overeating and consuming less stimulating foods and smoked products may also be helpful in preventing stomach cancer. Patients with long-term ineffective treatment of gastric ulcers or gastric polyps larger than 2cm should undergo timely surgical treatment. Patients with atrophic gastritis should be regularly followed up for gastroscopy examination, both of which have certain preventive significance.