Helicobacter pylori linked to high rates of gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori has been identified as a major infectious agent linked to cancer, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet Oncology. In 2024, the bacteria was associated with approximately 760,000 cases, primarily gastric cancer, out of 2.3 million tumors attributed to infections that year. Experts note that roughly one in eight cancer diagnoses worldwide is related to preventable infections, with H. pylori representing a significant portion of these cases.

The bacteria infects the stomach mucosa and is often acquired during childhood. It can remain asymptomatic for decades, making it difficult to detect without medical intervention. Transmission typically occurs through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes, often within households. While infection does not guarantee the development of tumors, the bacteria stimulates excessive gastric acid production, which can lead to gastroesophageal reflux, ulcers, gastritis, and potentially fatal gastric cancer.

Standard medical treatments involve breath tests for diagnosis followed by a regimen of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. While successful in 70% to 90% of cases, these treatments can be costly and may cause side effects such as diarrhea and stomach pain.