As the saying goes, "Nine out of ten people have stomach issues." Stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and bloating have become common ailments among modern people. Yet when it comes to stomach cancer, many still feel it's far removed from their lives.Xiao Wen, a college student in Jinhua, Zhejiang, would almost always grab a bite after evening study sessions, sometimes even making grilled food his main meal.
Dietary Habits and Environmental Pollution Drive High Gastric Cancer Rates
Annual reports from the National Cancer Registry Center indicate that gastric cancer incidence is concentrated in western China and southeastern coastal provinces such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, Qinghai, and Gansu.The incidence rate among men is significantly higher than among women, particularly middle-aged men who often suffer from conditions like gastric polyps, gastric ulcers, and chronic atrophic gastritis. If left untreated for a long time, these conditions can potentially develop into gastric cancer.
Data indicates that over the past five years, China has recorded approximately 400,000 new gastric cancer cases annually, accounting for about 42% of global incidence. Projections suggest China's gastric cancer incidence will continue to rise by 1.6% annually through 2015.
Experts attribute China's high gastric cancer rates to distinctive dietary habits, including a preference for grilled lamb skewers, hot pot, spicy foods, and pickled items. Overly flavorful foods irritate the digestive tract, causing organ lesions. Heavy alcohol consumption is another factor: excessive baijiu intake damages not only the liver but the entire digestive system.
Furthermore, the sharp rise in gastric cancer incidence in recent years is significantly linked to environmental pollution. Contaminated water and food irritate the digestive tract, damaging the stomach. Additionally, pesticide residues and the misuse of medications also contribute to the increase in digestive system cancers.
Which Bad Habits Most Easily Lead to Gastric Cancer?
1.Regular consumption of very hot, strong tea
Frequently drinking tea at high temperatures (above 80°C/176°F) not only risks scalding the esophagus and causing chronic esophageal ulcers, but the tannins in tea also accumulate at these damaged sites. This further irritates the injured esophageal epithelial cells, prolonging the healing of chronic ulcers and increasing the risk of cancerous changes.
2. Those who frequently stay up late
Cancer cells form when normal cells undergo mutations during division. Nighttime is when cell division is most active. Insufficient sleep weakens the body's defenses, making it harder to control cellular mutations that lead to cancer. Night owls often rely on smoking and coffee to stay alert, which also increases exposure to carcinogens.
3. Those who hold in urine or bowel movements
The risk of bladder cancer increases proportionally with the duration of urine retention. Urine contains carcinogens that can damage bladder muscle fibers, causing cancerous changes. Feces contain even more harmful substances—hydrogen sulfide, skatole, and other carcinogens—which, when repeatedly irritating the intestinal mucosa, can also lead to cancerous transformations.
4. Meat-heavy dieters
Experts found that individuals whose daily diet primarily consists of pork, beef, lamb, and other livestock meats have a 2.5 times higher incidence of colorectal cancer compared to those who consume only small amounts of meat a few times per month. The risk of pancreatic cancer also increases with higher meat intake.