Coffee on an empty stomach causes gastric ulcers, raising the chances of cancer

Four risk factors increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, one of the most common cancers in Korea. These are Helicobacter pylori infection, stomach ulcers, poor dietary habits, and a family history of stomach cancer.

Professor Kang So-hyun of the Department of Surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) pointed out on the YouTube channel with the same name as the hospital that although the prevalence of H. pylori infection is decreasing in Korea, it is still the most potent cause of stomach cancer.

Helicobacter is transmitted from person to person, and it is reported that about 50 percent of the world's population, and 40-50 percent in Korea alone, is infected with Helicobacter, so it cannot be considered a low risk of exposure to this bacterium,” Professor Kang said.

In reality, Helicobacter is primarily spread through saliva, which explains why it's most common in families and romantic partners who share food or kiss. Helicobacter infection can cause symptoms of indigestion or heartburn due to acute and chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers.

“If you have recurrent symptoms of indigestion or heartburn, visit your local doctor to check if you have a Helicobacter infection,” Kang said. “And if you do, you can be cured with antibacterial treatment.”

Another risk factor that increases the risk of developing stomach cancer is stomach ulcers. “It's a hole in the stomach,” Kang explained, emphasizing that stomach ulcers, especially recurrent ulcers, should not be taken lightly, as some stomach cancers begin as ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori is one factor that causes stomach ulcers, and smoking is another. “Smoking is a significant trigger,” Kang said, adding that another thing to watch out for is long-term painkiller use.

Taking painkillers once or twice for a mild headache is very unlikely to lead to stomach ulcers, but the risk of ulcers increases if you take them for a long time, such as for arthritis or chronic pain. “(In this case), you should follow your doctor's medication instructions to reduce your chances of developing a stomach ulcer,” she said.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can also cause stomach ulcers.

“Stomach ulcers are caused by excessive secretion of stomach acid, which scratches the mucous membrane,” Professor Kang said. “This is more likely to happen if you consume coffee, too much spicy food, alcohol, or soda on an empty stomach, which are substances that stimulate stomach acid secretion.”

Another factor that increases the risk of stomach cancer is a poor diet. “It is a well-known fact that processed and smoked meats increase the risk of cancer,” Kang said. “There are reports that salty and fermented foods are also bad for stomach cancer.”

the impact of food on stomach cancer is not as clear as it is for H. pylori or stomach ulcers. “It's good to avoid these foods as much as possible, but if you eat them occasionally, you don't need to worry too much about them,” Kang said, adding that more important than strictly watching what you eat is staying away from tobacco and alcohol.

One of the things that increases the risk of developing stomach cancer is family history.

"Family history is not only about genetic predisposition, but also about sharing a similar environment," Kang said. "You may share similar dietary habits. If you have a carrier in your family, you are also more likely to be infected with Helicobacter. If your parents have had stomach cancer, especially if they developed it at a younger age, say in their 40s or 50s, you should recognize that you are at risk and get checked frequently."