5 bad habits that you might consider normal increase your chances of developing stomach cancer

Stomach or gastric cancer is an extremely serious and life-threatening disease that affects millions of people around the world each year. It starts in the cells lining the stomach and grows deeper into the stomach walls as the cancer develops. According to experts, most of the time, stomach cancer is detected when the disease is advanced and is less likely to be cured. Stomach cancer that grows through the stomach wall or spreads to other parts of the body is more difficult to cure.

Therefore, it is necessary to be careful about the factors that lead to this disease. While there are many things that contribute to the development of stomach cancer, certain bad habits that you may consider normal increase your risk significantly. Let’s explore five habits and provide valuable information on how to reduce the risk of developing this condition.

Factors leading to stomach cancer.

chronic stress

Many think that stress is a mental health problem and does not aggravate physical problems in the body. According to doctors, chronic stress causes deterioration of body functions, leading to many deadly diseases such as heart problems, kidney problems, diabetes and even cancer.

Stress increases the risk of developing stomach cancer by weakening the immune system’s ability to effectively fight cancer cells. It also increases inflammation in the body, along with the risk of diseases such as obesity and acid reflux, all of which increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Therefore, it is important to prioritize stress management through activities such as regular exercise, meditation, yoga, or participating in social activities with loved ones to mitigate risks. By adopting these strategies, you can actively reduce your chances of developing stomach cancer and promote better overall well-being.

Eat salty foods

Excess salt in the diet causes at least 41 percent increased risk of gastric cancer compared to those who rarely or never added salt. According to experts, too much salt increases body mass index, urinary levels of sodium and potassium, which become markers for cancer cells to thrive.

And so, reducing sodium (with a recommended intake of 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day is the best way to stay away from this cancer and other diseases.

Smoking

Smoking is not only harmful to the lungs, it also contributes to the spread of stomach cancer. Experts say chemicals in tobacco smoke cause genetic changes in the cells of the stomach lining. Tobacco smoke, along with nicotine, plays a role in the formation of ulcers that damage the lining of the stomach. These ulcers increase the risk of genetic changes in the cells that cause stomach cancer.

According to doctors, the severity of stomach ulcers depends on the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Doctors say that quitting smoking reduces the risk of stomach cancer.

bad diet

Eating foods loaded with saturated fats, such as processed and junk foods and red meat, greatly contributes to obesity, a major risk factor for stomach cancer.

Doctors recommend eating fresh fruits and vegetables and following a Mediterranean diet, which is less likely to develop stomach cancer.

Alcohol

While you may think that a drink or two a day is harmless, this habit, when it becomes chronic, is linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer. Alcohol irritates the stomach mucosa and increases the production of stomach acid, which contributes to the development of cancerous tumors.

Limiting alcohol consumption and drinking in moderation can help reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer and improve your overall health.