How does Helicobacter pylori cause gastric cancer step by step?

In this fast-food era, we are accustomed to eating out. Some people are in a hurry and have no time to have breakfast. Even lunch and dinner are done in a hurry. Gastric cancer is a terrible disease that kills countless people every year. Does being infected with Helicobacter pylori definitely cause cancer? Not necessarily. There is no direct connection between the two diseases, but Helicobacter pylori is the cause of gastric cancer.

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is the most important bacterium in the stomach. It reaches the gastric mucosa through the mouth and then colonizes the infection. It causes chronic and superficial gastritis over weeks or months and develops into the duodenum after years or decades. Ulcers, gastric ulcers, lymphoproliferative gastric lymphoma, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, gastric cancer, etc. Helicobacter pylori infection is the most clear risk factor for gastric cancer. The vast majority of gastric cancers are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and genetics. factors and environmental factors.

How did you get infected with Helicobacter pylori?

As the saying goes, diseases enter the body through the mouth. Helicobacter pylori mainly enters the human body through the oral cavity. This bacterium is often present in the tartar and saliva of carriers and is transmitted by eating together.

The "trilogy" of Helicobacter pylori causing gastric cancer

1. Chronic gastritis: After Helicobacter pylori invade the stomach, it will trigger a series of inflammatory reactions. As the inflammation worsens, the gastric mucosa gradually develops atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and atypical hyperplasia, eventually leading to chronic gastritis.

2. Peptic ulcer: On the basis of chronic gastritis, the digestive function of gastric acid and protease is enhanced, eroding the gastric mucosa and causing peptic ulcers. If the ulcer does not heal for a long time, it may become cancerous.

3. Gastric cancer: Long-term chronic inflammation stimulation and the development of atypical hyperplasia eventually lead to cell mutation and the formation of gastric cancer. According to statistics, about 10% of people infected with Helicobacter pylori will develop gastric cancer.

How to stay away from Helicobacter pylori?

1. Pay attention to personal hygiene: develop good hygiene habits, wash hands frequently, and disinfect tableware frequently.

2. Separate meals: Implement separate meals or use public chopsticks to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

3. Regular physical examination: Perform regular gastroscopy to detect and treat chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer in time.

4. Active treatment: Once you are found to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, you must follow the doctor's advice and actively treat to completely eliminate the bacteria.

Helicobacter pylori is the "mastermind" that causes gastric cancer step by step, and each of us may become its next target. Only by developing good living habits and paying attention to personal hygiene can we effectively prevent this carcinogen. Let us work together to resist the invasion of Helicobacter pylori and protect our health.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: January 21, 2023