Scientists have discovered a pathogen that causes most types of cancer
A pathogen is the main responsible from a lot of cancer that hundreds of thousands of patients suffer year after year. Now a study from the American Association for Cancer Research has revealed what this element is.
According to this work American Cancer Societypathogen in question “Helicobacter pylori” or “H. pylori”chief responsible for about 810,000 cancer cases in 2018latest year for which data is available, according to a specialized portal for health issues. Health.comwhat the research includes.
The US organization adds that 2.2 million cases of cancer worldwide each year are due to viral or bacterial infections, so the discovery of H. pylori” is very relevant.
This is a type of bacteria that hides in the stomach in many people, although it often does not cause symptoms. Estimated to be in the US alone 30%-40% have suffered or will suffer from this infection. at some point the figure is comparable to Europe.
“H. pylori” is the main cause peptic ulcersa type of ulcer that occurs inside the small intestine, but it is also the cause of more common diseases such as gastritisinflammation of the stomach.
However, experts emphasize that Infection with this pathogen is not synonymous with cancer.. “Of all people infected with H. pylori, it is believed that from 1% and 3% will get cancer“he adds Linda Cummingsgastroenterologist University Hospital Cleveland To Health.
The “life” of these bacteria has not been fully revealed, but it transmission of infection occurs mainly through oral discharge, vomiting, or other fluidssince he is in stool, salivaplaque or stomach fluids.
Its development also contributes lack of hygiene or poor sanitation conditions environment, so researchers have linked its spread to countries and contexts with low incomes and low quality of life.
Regarding symptoms, doctor Cummings indicates that not everyone is infected from H. pylori show signsbut there are photographs that can give tipsHow vomit repetitive, weight loss or problems with swallowing or digestion. Moreover, their own stool They may be symptomatic if look “black and smelly” or if its frequency increases sharply.
To diagnose infection there is four specific tests: A taking urea while breathingtest antibodies in stoolA gastroscopy And blood testalthough the latter method is less used because it can lead to false positive results, the doctor concludes.