With the acceleration of modern society's pace of life and the influence of factors such as environment and lifestyle, the prevention and treatment of stomach diseases, especially gastric cancer, have become particularly important. In order to protect the "granary" of this life, we need to have a deep understanding and effectively implement the three-level prevention measures for stomach cancer.
1、 What are the factors that induce gastric cancer?
1. Helicobacter pylori infection: Helicobacter pylori infection is a recognized Class I carcinogen, and long-term infection can cause chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and other lesions, thereby increasing the risk of gastric cancer.
2. High salt diet: Excessive intake of salt is closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer. High salt foods may cause damage to the gastric mucosa and trigger inflammation.
3. Foods containing nitrosamines or nitrates: Some pickled and smoked foods may contain large amounts of nitrite and nitrosamines, which have potential carcinogenicity.
4. Irregular diet: Long term irregular eating, overeating, or excessive hunger may also affect stomach health.
5. Smoking and drinking: Nicotine and other harmful substances in tobacco can damage the gastric mucosal barrier, while alcohol can directly stimulate gastric wall cells, both of which can increase the risk of gastric cancer.
6. Genetic factors: Gastric cancer has a certain degree of familial clustering, and some populations may have genetic susceptibility, such as those with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome, who have a higher risk of developing the disease.
7. Occupational exposure: The incidence rate of gastric cancer is relatively high among workers who have long-term exposure to asbestos, nickel, chromium and other harmful chemicals, as well as workers engaged in rubber, coal, metal and other industries.
2、 How to diagnose gastric cancer?
1. Gastroscopy examination: This is one of the most commonly used and accurate methods. Through gastroscopy, the morphology and color changes of the gastric mucosa can be directly observed, and tissue can be taken for biopsy to determine whether it is malignant.
2. Organ biopsy: Taking lesion tissue for biopsy under gastroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing gastric cancer. Pathologists will observe these tissues under a microscope to search for evidence of cancer cells.
3. X-ray and CT scans: These imaging examinations can display the location, size, and lymph node metastasis of gastric tumors.
3、 How to prevent stomach cancer?
1. Primary prevention, namely etiological prevention. Targeting known carcinogens, correct unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits through science popularization and education, and reduce consumption of smoked, fried, baked, and grilled foods. Food produces a large amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the smoking and baking process, including strong carcinogens such as benzo [a] pyrene, which can penetrate the entire food. During the smoking and baking process, proteins can decompose and produce carcinogenic components at high temperatures, especially when burnt. Low salt diet, eat more vegetables, fruits, and protein rich foods, while avoiding foods that are rough, too hot, or too cold and can easily damage the digestive tract mucosa. Do not smoke, do not drink strong alcohol, and do not drink hot tea. Actively treating precancerous lesions such as gastric ulcers and chronic atrophic gastritis through medication to reduce the risk of cancer transformation. Supplementing vitamins and trace elements, eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, both vitamin A and vitamin C have the effect of preventing cell malignancy and diffusion, and increasing the stability of epithelial cells. In addition, vitamin C can prevent general symptoms of radiation damage and increase white blood cell levels. Vitamin E can promote cell division and delay cell aging.
2. Secondary prevention, advocating the "three early" - early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. Screening high-risk populations for gastric cancer and seeking comprehensive treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. The treatment effect of early gastric cancer is much better than that of middle and late stage gastric cancer. After timely surgery, endoscopy and other related treatments for early gastric cancer patients, more than 90% of them can survive for 5 years or even longer, while less than 5% of late stage patients can survive for 5 years. Therefore, early detection is the key to improving patient survival rates. Screening high-risk populations is an effective means of detecting early gastric cancer. The target population for early screening of gastric cancer generally refers to individuals at high risk of gastric cancer. Currently, the target population for gastric cancer screening in China is defined as those aged ≥ 40 years who meet any of the following criteria: individuals from high-risk areas for gastric cancer; Helicobacter pylori infection; Previously suffered from precancerous diseases of the stomach such as chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric polyps, postoperative residual stomach, hypertrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, etc; First degree relatives of gastric cancer patients (patients' parents, children and sisters); There are other risk factors for gastric cancer, such as long-term intake of high salt, pickled diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. Early gastric cancer patients exhibit different symptoms due to the location of gastric cancer occurrence. The early symptoms of some patients are upper abdominal pain; Some patients may experience bloating in the stomach, difficulty swallowing, discomfort with upper abdominal fullness, acid reflux, heartburn, belching, nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, black stool, and so on. Some patients may even have no obvious digestive system symptoms, only unexplained weight loss, emaciation, or fatigue. Attention should be paid to the above symptoms, and according to one's own physical condition, combined with one's own life and physical condition, one should promptly go to a regular hospital for electronic gastroscopy examination and diagnosis to avoid delaying the treatment of early gastric cancer. Once diagnosed with gastric cancer, early gastric cancer should undergo surgical and endoscopic treatment as soon as possible. Gastric cancer is not an incurable disease. As long as patients can actively face the disease and receive early treatment, the disease can be controlled.
3. Third level prevention refers to taking active measures to improve the quality of life of patients, promote their recovery, and increase the survival rate of gastric cancer patients. For early and mid stage patients, radical surgery should be actively performed. For patients with advanced gastric cancer who cannot undergo surgery, internal medicine treatment should be adopted, mainly including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment, which can improve the survival rate of gastric cancer patients and promote disease recovery. Adopting individualized treatment methods for different stages of gastric cancer to achieve different treatments for the same disease.
Let's work together to follow a healthy lifestyle, pay attention to stomach health, and do a good job in tertiary prevention of stomach cancer. May everyone's stomach be full of vitality and every day be filled with the joy of delicious food. Let us cherish every meal, care for ourselves, and also care for the people around us. May stomach health always accompany us, and let a beautiful life come as promised.