A recent metanalysis (pooling the results of different studies on the same research study) of randomized research studies, motly done in Asia, showed a significant reduction of stomach cancer when a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori was eliminated from patients who were originally found to have the bacteria.
The bacteria is found when a tissue sample of the antrum section of the stomach is tested (by looking at the stomach with an endoscope, a long tube with a maginfying lens on the end). It can be treated with different combination of medicines which include certain antibiotics and stomach acid reduction medicines called proton-pump inhibitors.
This finding suggests that the risk of stomach cancer can be reduced by treating the bacteria in patients where stomach cancer is endemic, such as certain Asian countries.
Last updated August 16, 2009 by Dr. Vee
