Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
About one in three adults have evidence that their stomach is infected with the
bacteria H. pylori. It sometimes causes stomach ulcers and inflammation that, over
time, may lead to stomach cancer, including some types of lymphoma of the stomach.
Although more than half of all cases of stomach cancer are thought to be
linked to H. pylori infection, most people infected with these bacteria never develop
cancer. Although stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, it
makes up only about 2% of cancers in the U.S. Individuals infected with H. pylori
who have had ulcers should be treated with antibiotics to decrease the risk of gastric
cancer.
Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydia trachomatis is a very common sexually transmitted bacteria that can
infect the female and male reproductive tract as well as other parts of the body. Because
it frequently does not cause symptoms, it can persist undetected for years and
may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Chlamydia seems to interact
with HPV in a way that promotes cancer growth and increases the risk of becoming
infected with HIV.
Parasites and cancer
Certain parasitic worms can also raise the risk of developing some kinds of cancer.
These organisms are not found in the United States, but they can infect people
who live in or travel to other parts of the world. Liver flukes, from eating raw or undercooked
freshwater fish, have been linked to increased risk of developing cancer
of the liver bile ducts. S. haematobium, the cause of schistosomiasis, is a parasite
found in the water of some countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Infection
with this parasite has been linked to bladder cancer.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel
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