The common bacteria linked to ‘millions’ of stomach cancer cases
The stomach infection fuelling millions of global cancer cases
- A common bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is linked to millions of projected stomach cancer cases globally.
- Scientists estimate 15.6 million people born between 2008 and 2017 will be diagnosed with stomach cancer in their lifetime, with 76 per cent directly linked to H. pylori infection.
- The vast majority of these projected cases, 10.6 million, are expected in Asia, followed by the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
- Experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) are calling for greater investment in prevention, particularly through population-wide “screen and treat” programmes for H. pylori, which could cut cases by up to 75 per cent.
- Cancer Research UK notes that stomach cancer rates are falling in the UK, where H. pylori infection is less common, and other lifestyle factors are more significant for cancer prevention.