United States: An unsettling trend has emerged in the medical realm—escalating rates of stomach cancer among younger individuals, perplexing researchers, and igniting intense scrutiny. While instances of the disease diminish in the elderly, a disturbing two percent annual surge in diagnoses among those under 50 has been recorded in recent years, leaving scientists grasping for explanations.
Alarmingly, half of these cases present at an advanced stage, transforming the prognosis into a near-fatal outcome with a grim survival rate of merely four percent. In light of this, physicians have embarked on a comprehensive inquiry, focusing on whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)—a common bacterium also responsible for stomach ulcers—might be a potential culprit.
Should this hypothesis prove accurate, it could herald a revolutionary preventive measure: the administration of basic antibiotic treatments to high-risk populations, potentially circumventing the cancer’s emergence entirely.
Dr Jessica Sheth Bhutada, a prominent pediatric oncologist affiliated with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, was part of the pioneering team that initially documented this upward trend in gastric cancer cases among younger individuals. Speaking with healio.com, she stated, “We are confronted by a phenomenon without a clear-cut cause; it transcends geographical boundaries.”
Despite extensive research, no concrete literature offers an explanation for this unsettling pattern. Dr Sheth Bhutada draws potential parallels with colorectal cancer, where diet, antibiotic usage, and shifts in gut microbiota have been identified as possible triggers. Yet, no studies have thoroughly explored whether these factors also play a role in the rising incidence of stomach cancer.
This glaring knowledge gap motivated her current study.
“Through this research, we aim to dissect why this affliction strikes young adults and how we can detect it earlier, or even better, prevent it,” Dr Sheth Bhutada elaborated, adding, “Our goal is to perform a multi-tiered evaluation, analyzing personal risk factors such as chronic H. pylori infection or obesity, while also considering external influences like residing in food deserts—areas deprived of fresh, nutritious food—or limited healthcare access.”
H pylori itself is a bacterium that resides in the stomachs of approximately 40 percent of the population. In the vast majority of cases, ranging between 80 and 90 percent, it remains asymptomatic. However, in others, it can provoke conditions like ulcers, indigestion, bloating, or nausea. Detectable via blood, breath, or stool tests, the infection can be treated with a regimen of antibiotics and supportive medications. Long-standing infections, particularly in older adults, are known to elevate the risk of developing certain gastric cancers.
Additional lifestyle factors, including smoking and diet, have been identified as exacerbating the carcinogenic potential of H pylori, according to data from Cancer Research UK. In China, aggressive screening and eradication of the bacterium have led to a notable decline in stomach cancer cases. However, Dr Sheth Bhutada remains cautious: “The challenge lies in the uncertainty over how much H pylori infection drives cancer development in younger adults and whether or not the Chinese strategy would yield similar success elsewhere.”
One tragic case encapsulates the gravity of the situation. Zak Wilcox, a 40-year-old man, succumbed to stomach cancer in 2021. His mother, Rebecca, believes his illness stemmed from an H. pylori infection contracted during a backpacking trip to India in his late teens. With the bacterium carried by 80 percent of the Indian population, Zak endured a bout of illness resembling food poisoning. In the years following, he experienced chronic indigestion before severe abdominal pain compelled a visit to the doctor, ultimately leading to his hospitalization.
Though efforts to combat H pylori have proven effective in other regions, the intricate relationship between infection, environment, and individual risk factors remains a topic of ongoing study. As the medical community delves deeper into these complexities, hopes are high that uncovering the roots of this alarming rise in young-onset gastric cancer will lead to strategies.