Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know the number of new cases of stomach cancer in the U.S. has been dropping by about 1.5% each year over the last 10 years, according to the American Cancer Society.

Even though the number of cases is dropping, Stomach Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the world. Although there is no way to prevent stomach cancer, there are a few things you can do to lower your risk. Here are five ways you can lower your risk of stomach cancer, according to American Cancer Society:

1. Eat a balanced diet – The American Cancer Society recommends that people follow a healthy eating pattern, which includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and avoids or limits red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods.
2. Maintain a healthy weight – Being overweight or obese increases the risk of some types of stomach cancer, so getting to and staying at a healthy weight might lower your risk.
3. Increase physical activity – Getting regular physical activity might also help lower your risk of stomach cancer.
4. Limit alcohol use – Alcohol use probably increases the risk of stomach cancer, so avoiding or limiting alcohol might lower your risk.
5. Stop smoking – Smoking can increase the risk of cancers of the upper stomach (the portion closest to the esophagus). Tobacco use increases the risk for many other types of cancer as well.

Learn More:

• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html