Stomach (Gastric) Cancer has long been tied to an overabundance of the bacteria Helectybactor pylori. Though certain species of H. pylori have been found in normal intestinal flora, it is the overgrowth that has been linked to stomach ulcers and cancer in various organs. H. pylori, according to the World Health Organization, is the number one cause of stomach cancer worldwide.

Investigators in a recently published study retrospectively evaluated de novo (new, primary) gastric cancer risk in a general population of over 10,000 patients in Korea undergoing comprehensive cancer screening, which included baseline and follow-up upper endoscopy and H. pylori testing. During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 31 de novo gastric cancers were detected.

The most interesting information was this: Of the 31 patients with gastric cancer, 25 had H. pylori either presently or in the past. Furthermore, it revealed that eradication of H. pylori was associated with a 70% reduced risk for gastric cancer suggesting that screening for H. pylori might be an early intervention.

On that note, we have long stressed the need to treat H. pylori even if it is subclinical and asymptomatic. Berberine has been a staple in a natural approach to care. Several of our products address this and we highly suggest dosing berberine products on a cyclical basis to deal with constant exposure.

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