I disagree though I realize how bad ie. overly concerned my posts
appear and that some readers will find it tedious to read. I believe
there is a connection between people living longer as our scientific
awareness grows.

Bacteria linked to stomach cancer

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The elimination of Helicobacter pylori from the stomach decreases the
risk of people with gastric or duodenal ulcers developing stomach
cancer, according to the findings of a research group led by a
Hiroshima City Hospital doctor.

The findings were revealed in this month's issue of Gastroenterology,
the journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria believed to cause gastric or duodenal
ulcers. It is treated with antibiotics and other medicines.

The research group, led by Motoo Mizuno, head of the hospital's
endoscopy department, studied 1,120 patients with gastric or duodenal
ulcers and prescribed treatment to eliminate the bacteria for an
average of three years and five months. The group conducted annual
endoscopies on the patients to determine the percentage of those who
developed cancer.

As a result of the examination, of 944 patients who were successfully
treated for the bacteria, eight developed stomach cancer. Of 176 whose
treatment failed, four developed the disease.

The incidence of stomach cancer among those who were successfully
treated for Helicobacter pylori was 1.2 percent, while the incidence
among those whose treatment failed was 3.8 percent.

The World Health Organization says Helicobacter pylori is carcinogenic.
But no research has proven that the elimination of the bacteria can
prevent stomach cancer from developing.

The research team admitted the method of the study did not prove beyond
doubt the treatment's effectiveness in eliminating Helicobacter pylori.

But Mizuno said: "We believe if we can eliminate Helicobacter pylori at
an early stage, it's highly likely that the development of stomach
cancer can be prevented.

But it's impossible to completely prevent the development of cancer, so
it's important for people to receive periodic checkups."

About 80 percent of Japanese aged 50 or older are infected with
Helicobacter pylori. About 5 percent to 6 percent of them are believed
likely to develop gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Prof. Kentaro Sugano of Jichi Medical School said 50,000 Japanese died
of stomach cancer every year, making it the second-most deadly cancer
in Japan.

"The study indicates that the elimination of Helicobacter pylori is
likely to dramatically reduce the number of deaths from stomach
cancer," he said.