Does intestinal metaplasia cause stomach cancer? Don't worry too much!

Does intestinal metaplasia cause stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is so common that it affects 1 in 5 cancer patients. The causes of stomach cancer are the habit of eating salty foods and burnt meats, as well as the high rate of infection with the bacterium Helicobacter.

Diagnosis of stomach cancer is made by gastroscopy. Gastroscopy is a cost-effective examination. This may be the reason for the high number of stomach cancer diagnoses.

As a result of gastroscopy, atrophic gastritis and intestinal epithelial metaplasia can also be diagnosed. Atrophic gastritis is a disease in which the stomach wall becomes white and thin due to atrophy of the gastric mucosa, and the secretion of digestive juices decreases, resulting in poor digestion. And intestinal epithelial metaplasia is a phenomenon in which atrophic gastritis worsens, resulting in abnormal mucosa instead of the normal gastrointestinal mucosa. Atrophic gastritis and intestinal epithelial metaplasia occur because long-term infection with Helicobacter bacteria causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is true that those who carry these have a higher incidence of stomach cancer than those who do not have them. That's why we usually hear the results of gastroscopy and often have health concerns.

However, it is important to note that atrophic gastritis and intestinal epithelial metaplasia are very common. It is an aging process that can appear in anyone as they age. In addition, even if you are not infected with Helicobacter bacteria, you will naturally increase if you enjoy drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating a lot of spicy and salty foods. By the time they reach their 50s, more than half will be diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and intestinal epithelial metaplasia.

Therefore, the physician who makes the diagnosis based on the results of the gastroscopy needs to be careful and responsible about the impact on the patient's health. From the patient's point of view, if they have been diagnosed with atrophic gastritis or intestinal epithelial metaplasia, instead of falling into lethargy, it would be a practical way to change their mindset and practice lifestyle habits that prevent stomach cancer, such as eating freshly, quitting smoking, abstaining from alcohol, and getting regular follow-up check-ups.