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Preventing stomach cancer

  • 07-08-2015 5:06pm
    #1
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭


    Most, if not all, of the males on my father's side that have died, have died of stomach cancer. My father hasn't got it but I'd like to proactively take steps to stop it happening / catch it early.

    I rang the McMillan cancer people and they told me that stomach cancer is not hereditary, and that currently, there are no genetic tests that can be done to predict stomach cancer. When I questioned the lack of hereditary, based on the fact that all males on my father's side are dying from it, the McMillan nurse told me that there are many 'risk factors' (age being one) that can cause it. On my father's side, even fit, non-smoking/drinking males are dying from it.

    So, what I'm asking it, what can I get him (and further down the line, me) to do to prevent/catch it early? He gets a scope done every 3 years. Is that too irregular? Should it be every 6 months? Is preemptive stomach removal a wise idea?

    I'm confused at how, if stomach cancer is not hereditary, all the males are dying from it. I'd prefer to take steps to prevent it (like Angelina Jolie) instead of just letting it be a fact of life.

    Anyone in a similar boat?


Comments

  • #2
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    Op, this really is straying into medical advice territory. Nobody here can advise you on this. Discuss prevention and screening with your doctor.


  • #3
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    After discussion with the op, I'll re-open this for discussion of stomach cancer, personal and family experience etc. however, there is to be no medical advice given.


  • #4
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    Yes. I know doctors are the only ones in a position to advise but maybe other people went through similar things.


  • #5
    Youngblood.III
    Site Banned Posts: 777 ✭✭✭Youngblood.III


    My story....I suffered very bad with stomach for years turns out I had heliobactor ( a Bacteria ) or something like that, if left untreated it can lead to cancer of stomach. ..they say maybe 6/10 people have it, but it does not effect them, then 2/10 people it causes problems....it was only corrected identified in the last 15 years or so...
    My grandfather died of stomach cancer.


  • #6
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    Youngblood.III wrote: »
    My story....I suffered very bad with stomach for years turns out I had heliobactor ( a Bacteria ) or something like that, if left untreated it can lead to cancer of stomach. ..they say maybe 6/10 people have it, but it does not effect them, then 2/10 people it causes problems....it was only corrected identified in the last 15 years or so...
    My grandfather died of stomach cancer.

    When you say 'corrected identified', did you get the bacteria issue resolved or is it just something you have to live with?


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  • #7
    Youngblood.III
    Site Banned Posts: 777 ✭✭✭Youngblood.III


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    When you say 'corrected identified', did you get the bacteria issue resolved or is it just something you have to live with?

    Cured....It's called triple therapy, 2 anibiotics and an acid regulator, sometimes they may have to do it twicem


  • #8
    Youngblood.III
    Site Banned Posts: 777 ✭✭✭Youngblood.III


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    When you say 'corrected identified', did you get the bacteria issue resolved or is it just something you have to live with?

    Cured....It's called triple therapy, 2 anibiotics and an acid regulator, sometimes they may have to do it twicem


  • #9
    Magnate
    Closed Accounts Posts: 877 ✭✭✭Magnate


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    I rang the McMillan cancer people and they told me that stomach cancer is not hereditary, and that currently, there are no genetic tests that can be done to predict stomach cancer. When I questioned the lack of hereditary, based on the fact that all males on my father's side are dying from it, the McMillan nurse told me that there are many 'risk factors' (age being one) that can cause it. On my father's side, even fit, non-smoking/drinking males are dying from it.


    This is not 100% true, diffuse gastric cancer is hereditary. Genetic testing can detect a change in the affected gene which will tell you if you have this. Also, a family history is one of the biggest risk factors for stomach cancer.

    I think it's important to be aware of the risk factors for it, which you can find here. Some of them can definitely be addressed in order to reduce your risk of developing it. This isn't intended as medical advice so please don't take it that way, but it's worth consulting a doctor about ways to reduce your risk. Even simple things like cutting out smoked or salted foods as much as possible has been proven to lower risk. Helicobacter as Youngblood mentioned too is something you should look into, along with aspirin use. Again, please don't make any changes without first consulting a doctor, this isn't medical advice.


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