Report Links Alcohol, Processed Meats, and Excess Weight to Stomach Cancer

By Stacy SimonA report from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund links an increased risk for stomach cancer with drinking alcohol, eating processed meats, and being overweight. According to the report, thousands of stomach cancer cases could be prevented in the US if people maintained a healthy weight, limited alcohol, and avoided processed meats including ham, bacon, pastrami, salami, bologna, hot dogs, and some sausages.Stomach cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but is less common in the United States, where the rates of new cases have been declining steadily since the early 20th century. Still, about 26,000 cases of stomach cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2016 and almost 11,000 people are expected to die from it.Key findingsThe report reviewed evidence from 89 studies from around the world. The studies examined about 17.5 million adults and almost 77,000 cases of stomach cancer. The report found:Drinking 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk of cancer in the lower stomach.Eating processed meat increases the risk of cancer in the lower stomach. For every 50 grams of processed meat eaten every day, the risk of cancer in the lower stomach increases by 18%. That’s the equivalent of about 4 strips of bacon or 1 hot dog.Being overweight or obese increases the risk of cancer in the upper stomach.Eating food preserved by salting increases the risk of stomach cancer. This includes pick...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Stomach Cancer Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news