A scientific review reinforces a warning that the medical community has been repeating for years: infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium remains the leading known risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. This conclusion is found in a new study published by the journal Qualis A Open Minds , owned by CPAH, the Heráclito Research and Analysis Center, under the technical management of Editora Atena.
The work brings together a team of twelve researchers, including Bruna Correia Sarno , Helena Gabriela Nascimento dos Santos , Karine Viana Andrade Cunha , Leonardo Lima Porto Araújo , João Victor Andrade Barreto Ferreira and Lucas Ferreira Lobo , as well as Ádila Fernanda Pereira Martins , Luana de Bulhões Santos Piscetta , Luís Filipe de Jesus Teles , Anita Sousa Ferreira Nogueira , Sávio Eduardo Ferreira Braga and Ana Clara Santiago de Lima Rosa .
A common bacterium, but not always harmless.
Helicobacter pylori is classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen, a category reserved for agents with a proven ability to cause cancer in humans. According to the authors, a large part of the world’s population is colonized by the bacteria in childhood, generally without showing significant symptoms.
The central point of the study is that only a fraction of these people go on to develop cancer during their lifetime. This difference, according to the research, depends on the combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors of each individual, and not simply on the presence of the bacteria in the body.
How the infection can develop into cancer
The aim of this review was to understand how Helicobacter pylori participates in the process of gastric cancer formation, also called gastric carcinogenesis. To this end, the researchers conducted a narrative review of the scientific literature, searching recognized databases:
● SciELO
● PubMed
● Google Scholar
● Institutional databases
Articles published between 2019 and 2024 were considered.
The results indicate that the bacteria trigger a chronic inflammatory process in the stomach, in addition to epigenetic alterations and cellular mutations. Over time, this condition can evolve into atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, considered precursor lesions, eventually leading to gastric neoplasia itself, especially in tumors located outside the cardiac region of the stomach.
Men, smoking, and alcohol appear as associated factors.
The survey identified a higher prevalence of cases among men, which the authors link to behavioral factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and inadequate eating habits.
Despite acknowledging the importance of the bacteria in this process, the researchers point to a significant gap: the scarcity of national data on the prevalence of infection by age group, especially among adolescents and the elderly. According to the study, this lack of information hinders the creation of more targeted public prevention policies.
What the researchers conclude
The review concludes that Helicobacter pylori infection is a determining, but not exclusive, factor in the development of gastric cancer. Prevention, early diagnosis, and promoting healthy lifestyle habits are identified by the authors as essential strategies to reduce both the incidence and mortality of the disease.
This text is for informational purposes only and is based on a scientific review. It does not replace consultation, diagnosis, or guidance from a physician. Individuals with persistent gastric symptoms or a family history of gastric cancer should seek evaluation from a healthcare professional.
