Gastric (Stomach) Cancer Facts: Risk Factors

There are several things that may increase your risk of gastric cancer. Some of these risk factors , like family history, are beyond your control. However, you may be able to change other gastric cancer risk factors, like poor eating habits and obesity.

Gastric Cancer Risk Factors

The following things may increase your risk of gastric cancer:

Stomach Infection: A stomach infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (or H pylori) may be a major risk factor of gastric cancer. Having this infection for a long time may cause damage to the stomach's inner lining and eventually lead to gastric cancer.
Being Overweight or Obese: Being obese or overweight may be a major risk factor of gastric cancer, especially cancer in the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. Almost 50% of gastric cancers in this area of the stomach are linked to obesity or smoking.
Poor Eating Habits: Consuming a lot of salted fish and meats, smoked foods and pickled vegetables may increase your risk of gastric cancer.
Excessive Smoking and Alcohol Use: Smoking may increase your risk of gastric cancer, especially cancer in the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. Almost 50% of gastric cancers in this area of the stomach are linked to smoking or obesity. Smokers have nearly double the risk of gastric cancer than nonsmokers. Although it is still unknown if excessive alcohol use increases the risk of gastric cancer, some studies have linked gastric cancer to alcohol use.
Stomach Surgery: If you have had stomach surgery in the past, such as removal of part of the stomach to treat ulcers, you may be at an increased risk of gastric cancer.
Gender and Age: Men are twice as likely to develop gastric cancer as women. The risk of gastric cancer increases greatly after age 50. Most gastric cancers occur in people in their late 60s, 70s and 80s.
Ethnicity: Gastric cancer is most common in Asian/Pacific Islanders. Black and Hispanic people are more likely to develop gastric cancer than non-Hispanic white people.
Geography: Gastric cancer occurs most often in Japan, Southern and Eastern Europe, China, and Central and South America.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Lack of a stomach substance that helps absorb vitamin B12 may cause a vitamin B12 deficiency and increase your risk of gastric cancer.
Menetrier Disease (Also Known as Hypertrophic Gastropathy): This rare disease, in which large folds develop in the stomach due to acid hyper production and changes in the stomach lining, may increase the risk of gastric cancer.
Family History of Gastric Cancer: If you have several close relatives who have had gastric cancer, you may be at an increased risk of gastric cancer.
Genetic Factors: Inheriting certain genetic disorders, like nonpolyposis colorectal cancer , and gene mutations (changes) may increase your risk of gastric cancer.
Stomach Polyps: If you have had polyps (noncancerous growths) in the stomach lining, particularly polyps called adenomas , you may have an increased risk of gastric cancer.
Epstein-Barr Virus: There may be a link between the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious , and certain gastric cancers.
Having Type-A Blood: For reasons unknown, having type-A blood may increase your risk of gastric cancer.

Reducing Your Risk of Gastric Cancer

There are things you and your doctor can do that may help reduce your risk of gastric cancer.

Changing Eating Habits: Limiting your intake of salted fish and meats, smoked foods and pickled vegetables may help reduce your risk of gastric cancer. Other changes that may help reduce your risk include consuming a minimum of five fruits and vegetables a day, increasing your intake of whole grains, and limiting your consumption of high-fat meats, processed meats and red meats.
Quitting Smoking and Limiting Alcohol Consumption: Quitting or avoiding smoking may help reduce your risk of gastric cancer. Contact the American Cancer Society if you need help quitting. Limiting your intake of alcohol also may help reduce your risk of gastric cancer.
Testing for the H Pylori Infection: Your doctor can perform tests to determine if you have the H pylori infection. While one research study has shown that antibiotics may help decrease the risk of gastric cancer caused by the H pylori infection, more studies are needed to be sure. Talk to your doctor to learn more about H pylori and antibiotic use.
Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may help reduce the risk of gastric cancer by 25% or more. However, there may be serious side effects related to frequent use of these drugs. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with your doctor.

There is no guarantee that following these guidelines will prevent gastric cancer. However, these measures may help reduce your risk of gastric cancer.

Learn about screening for gastric cancer and how to recognize possible signs and symptoms of gastric cancer: Gastric Cancer Facts: Screening, Signs And Symptoms.

Chemotherapy can be managed through education preparation. To be better equipped to help yourself and your family, visit the Helpful Resource section.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere®.

Before each Taxotere® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere® must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere®.

Before receiving Taxotere®, tell your doctor if

You have any allergies
You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere®, contact your doctor if

You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
You experience any other side effects

Please see adjacent page for patient information leaflet for detailed information about these side effects, and talk to your doctor about any questions you may have.

Taxotere Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and flouroucil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocercinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and neck Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and flourouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cercinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).