Alcohol, Processed Meat, High BMI Increase Stomach Cancer Risk

Drinking alcohol, eating processed meats, and being overweight increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to new research from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund.

Stomach cancer is prevalent around the world, especially in men and older adults. Although overall global incidence rates are declining, highlighting preventive measures can improve prognosis.
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For their analysis, the researchers analyzed 89 studies published from around the world that included 17.5 million adults and about 77,000 cases of stomach cancer.

After their review, the research panel found strong evidence in 3 areas that increase the risk of stomach cancer:

  • Consuming approximately 3 or more alcoholic beverages (more than 1.5 ounces of pure alcohol) per day every day.
  • Consuming foods preserved with salt.
  • Consuming processed meats such as ham, bacon, pastrami, salami, hot dogs, and some sausages.

In addition, they found strong evidence that being overweight or obese, as determined by body mass index, increases the risk of cardia stomach cancer, which forms at the top of the stomach. However, consuming citrus fruit may reduce the risk of cardia stomach cancer.

“Our Cancer Prevention Recommendations—for preventing cancer in general—include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating a healthy diet (this includes avoiding processed meat such as ham and bacon and limiting salt intake), and limiting alcohol consumption (if consumed at all),” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

World Cancer Research Fund International/American Institute for Cancer Research. Continuous Update Project report: diet, nutrition, physical activity and stomach cancer [published online April 29, 2016]. www.wcrf.org/stomach-cancer-2016.