Am I At Risk for Stomach Cancer?

“Smoking increases your risk of stomach cancer—as well as other types of cancer.”

There is really no way to know for sure if you are going to get stomach cancer. Certain factors may make you more likely to get it than another person. These are called risk factors. However, just because you have one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get stomach cancer. In fact, you can have all the risk factors and still not get stomach cancer, or you can have no known risk factors and still get it.

Some factors put you at increased risk of stomach cancer. Others are still being investigated and may or may not increase your risk. If you agree with any of these statements, your risk is increased. Ask your doctors and your loved ones to help you think of ways you can lower your risk.

I eat a lot of red meat or salted, pickled, and smoked foods.

People with a diet high in salty foods are at greater risk of getting stomach cancer. This includes food that is smoked, cured, salted, or pickled. Researchers think that salt and similar chemicals, such as sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, can change into cancer-causing substances. In addition, people who eat large amounts of red meat are at higher risk than those who don’t each much red meat. Your risk doubles if you eat red meat more than 13 times per week.

I use tobacco products and drink 2 or more alcoholic drinks per day.

People who use tobacco and drink a lot of alcohol are at a higher risk of getting stomach cancer.

I am very overweight.

Obesity is a risk linked to many cancers, including stomach cancer. Obesity and smoking together increase your risk even more.

I’ve had stomach polyps.

The risk for stomach cancer is higher in a person who has had small growths, called stomach polyps. This risk is greater if you’ve had a type called adenomatous polyps.

I’ve had stomach surgery.

If you’ve already had surgery to remove part of your stomach for either stomach ulcers or stomach cancer, your cancer may return or a new cancer may develop in the stomach that remains.

I have Helicobacter pylori infection.

These bacteria, which often cause stomach ulcers, can injure and shrink the lining of the stomach. This leads to a higher risk of stomach cancer.

I have pernicious anemia.

This is a severe problem in producing red blood cells. People with pernicious anemia do not produce hydrochloric acid. They are thought to have an increased risk of stomach cancer.

I have Menetrier’s disease.

This rare disease may be linked to stomach cancer. In Menetrier’s disease, you have large folds in your stomach. The stomach lining is not normal and the stomach produces too little acid. Menetrier’s disease is also called hypertrophic gastropathy.

I am male.

Men are twice as likely to get stomach cancer as are women.

I am over the age of 50.

After the age of 50, people are more likely to get stomach cancer. Most people with stomach cancer are between 60 and 70 years old.

I have several close family relatives who have had stomach cancer.

People who have several first-degree relatives (mother, father, sister, brother) who have had stomach cancer are more likely to get it.

I have type A blood.

People with type A blood are at a higher risk of getting stomach cancer. Researchers do not yet know why this is true.