Many factors, including age, gender, and ethnicity, can increase your risk of stomach cancer, which is the world's fifth-most common cancer. Dietary choices, weight management, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol play a crucial role in mitigating your risk. Additionally, pre-existing stomach issues, like a Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori infection, require vigilance. But what is H. pylori, and how does it impact your digestive health? Is there a treatment if it is diagnosed? Here's what a doctor has to say.
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What Is H. Pylori?
H. pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining and affects about 44% of the global population, said Dr Peeyush Kumar, Associate Consultant, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about two-thirds of the world’s population is infected with the bacterium.
While it is less often seen in children and adolescents as compared to adults, research suggests it is usually contracted in early childhood and thrives in the absence of treatment. It spreads through contaminated water or improperly prepared food and usually doesn’t show any symptoms. However, it is the most common cause of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), Dr Kumar added.
H. Pylori And Cancer: Is There A Link?
Prolonged and untreated H. pylori infection raises the risk of developing stomach cancer.
While the bacterium itself does not directly cause an illness, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests that it can lead to chronic inflammation in the stomach, which can contribute to the risk of several possible conditions, including atrophic gastritis and certain types of stomach cancer, particularly gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, which is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
A review published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found a strong link between H. pylori and non-cardia stomach cancer (upper stomach), with a 5.9 times increased risk if the test was done 10+ years before cancer.
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Diagnosis And Treatment
Symptoms of H. pylori infection vary but can include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, frequent burping, and, in severe cases, vomiting or unintended weight loss. But most patients with H. pylori infection may not exhibit any symptoms.
However, several methods are currently available to detect the presence of H. pylori. Some of the tests include:
- Breath test (UBT-urea breath test)
- Blood test
- Stool test (SAT-Stool antigen test)
- Endoscopy with tissue biopsy for rapid urease test or histological evaluation
If a person is diagnosed with the infection, medication typically involves a combination of antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor (a drug that reduces acid in the stomach) for up to 14 days, said Dr Kumar, adding, “This approach aims to reduce symptoms, promote healing of ulcers, and decrease the risk of complications associated with H. pylori infection.
The doctor further emphasised that early identification and timely treatment are pivotal in managing H. pylori-related issues.
Conclusion
In most cases, H. pylori infection is curable. The key is early detection and timely treatment. Most treatment lasts for 10–14 days, following which you will need to undergo another test to determine whether the bacterium is eradicated. Leaving the infection untreated can cause long-term complications and increase the risk of certain cancers. Consult with a healthcare professional if you have persistent digestive issues, especially a burning sensation in the stomach.