Stomach cancer can be caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which is found in half the people on Earth. Despite being discovered in 1982, screening for it remains challenging. A recent study published in JAMA aimed to determine if a fecal screening test could serve as an early warning signal of stomach cancer.
The study, conducted by researchers at National Taiwan University College of Medicine, screened tens of thousands of residents in Taiwan using two tests: Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen Test (HPSA) and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). The results showed that adding HPSA to FIT did not significantly reduce the incidence rate of gastric cancer or mortality. However, when differences in screening participation and follow-up period were accounted for, the study found a lower incidence rate of gastric cancer in the group screened with both tests.
Researchers believe that early detection through screening can prevent stomach cancer by targeting bacterial eradication treatment. The standard treatment involves antibiotic combination therapy, which has been shown to be effective in preventing gastric cancer. However, it is essential to note that targeted screening for H. pylori may not be a feasible option globally due to the fact that at least half the world’s population unwittingly carries the bacteria.
The study highlights the challenges of identifying individuals at risk of stomach cancer and the need for more research to determine whether community-wide screening for H. pylori can effectively reduce gastric cancer incidence and mortality.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-stomach-cancer-bacterium-people-earth.html