Blood Test for Stomach Cancer

westie66

Hi all: I don't have stomach cancer (have stage IV gallbladder cancer) but I thought this might be of interest. I was listening to our national radio yesterday, CBC, and there was an item about a common bacteria (starts with an H but chemo brain...)that leads to not only various stomach problems but also stomach cancer. A simple blood test would detect this bacteria and the cure is simple and cheap. A young husband in Vancouver was sharing this information because his wife, 35 years old, had just died from stomach cancer. Apparently a few years back this simple blood test was discussed for universal application at least here in Canada but it was decided not to proceed because the numbers of stomach cancer cases then in Canada was "only" 2000, not deemed high enough for large scale testing. However, a doctor affiliated with McMaster University in Hamilton, ON now believes it should have and should be carried out - it isn't expensive and if even one person was saved from stomach cancer because of it. I wish I could remember the name of the bacteria but ... perhaps the program was archived on CBC - it was early afternoon.
Cheryl

westie66

Helicobacter pylori
Hi again: I found it. It has been posted as a news item - just google blood test for stomach cancer and you'll get there. Anyways, the bacteria is Helicobacter pylori and its infection causes ulcers and other stomach/digestion problems including a link to stomach cancer. The young 35 year woman who died of stomach cancer but wanted the story to come out is a doctor herself, Dr Agnes Kwasnicka. The doctor who was interviewed is Dr Paul Moayyedi of McMaster University (Hospital?). The blood test is simple and the antibiotic cheap and effective. Dr Kwasnicka has the infection before her stomach cancer. Apparently there are about 1800 deaths from stomach cancer in Canada each year, not deemed enough for large scale testing.
Cheryl