The following are suggested as risk factors for stomach cancer:
-
Helicobacter pylori infection
-
diet that includes large amounts of the following:
-
smoked foods
-
salted fish and meat
-
foods high in starch and low in fiber
-
pickled vegetables
-
foods and beverages that contain nitrates and nitrites
-
tobacco abuse
-
alcohol abuse
-
previous stomach surgery
-
megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia (caused by vitamin B12 deficiency)
-
Menetrier's disease
-
marked increase after age 50 (most patients are in their 60s, 70s, or 80s)
-
male gender (more men are diagnosed with the disease than women)
-
having blood type A
-
family history of the following:
-
hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
-
familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
-
stomach cancer
-
history of stomach polyps
-
exposure to environmental factors such as dusts and fumes in the workplace