The battle to protect the stomach

There are more than 1 million new cases of gastric cancer worldwide each year, of which China accounts for about 40%; the proportion of early gastric cancer in my country is very low, about 20%. Most cases are already in the advanced stage when discovered, and the overall 5-year survival rate is less than 50%. Early screening is the key to early treatment of gastric cancer. Many patients are found to have atrophic gastritis during screening. When they hear that atrophic gastritis will develop into gastric cancer, they will become anxious and nervous, lose their appetite, and become terrified at the mention of cancer.

In fact, from atrophic gastritis to gastric cancer, we have to go through multiple stages: atrophic gastritis-intestinal metaplasia-atypical hyperplasia-carcinoma in situ-invasion-metastasis. In this process, as long as we plan ahead, intervene effectively, and treat reasonably, atrophic gastritis can be controlled or even reversed. There are mainly "four blocking points" in the battle to protect the "stomach".

First: Block the cause of the disease to avoid continued damage

Eliminating the cause and preventing continued damage is the key. For example, Helicobacter pylori infection, spicy and heavy-tasting food, overeating, excessive drinking, aspirin painkillers, hormone anti-inflammatory drugs, mood swings, tension and anxiety are all factors that lead to the continuous deterioration of atrophic gastritis and then progress to gastric cancer. Pay attention to the above problems and eliminate the cause from the root. The battle against the cause is related to the success or failure of the prevention.

Second: Improve symptoms and benefit now

Improving symptoms is the key in the blocking process. For example, for acid reflux and heartburn, we can use prazole-type acid suppressants to suppress acid; for abdominal distension and hiccups, we can use metoclopramide, mosapride, etc. to promote gastrointestinal motility; for poor appetite and indigestion, Aqinmide, digestive enzymes, and Mickey bacteria can all improve appetite and aid digestion. Symptom improvement is one of the signals that the disease is getting better.

Third: Ensure no progress and strive to reverse it

After the symptoms improve, we must ensure that the disease does not progress and strive to reverse the disease. Some traditional Chinese medicines have a good effect on the disease. For example, Morodan, Wei Fuchun, and Lamb Stomach Vitamin B12 can reverse or slow down the progression of atrophy to a certain extent. The reversal of atrophic gastritis is the most ideal result in our blocking process.

Fourth: Regular and timely review is a necessary measure

After making the above efforts, timely evaluation and reexamination should be carried out to check the treatment effect of atrophic gastritis, whether there is no change or reversal, whether the medication should be adjusted or further endoscopic treatment is needed, early diagnosis, early treatment, and early recovery.

If you lay out the above blocking points, atrophic gastritis will not become a breaking point in your life, and it may even be reversed, and everything will develop in a positive direction. In addition, everyone should maintain good living habits, not smoke, drink less strong tea, drink less alcohol, and exercise more, so as to stay away from chronic gastric diseases and then stay away from gastric cancer.

Many patients will be very anxious when they learn that atrophic gastritis can develop into gastric cancer. But in fact, the process from atrophic gastritis to gastric cancer goes through multiple stages: atrophic gastritis-intestinal metaplasia-atypical hyperplasia-carcinoma in situ-invasion-metastasis. In this process, as long as we pass four blocking points: 1. Block the cause; 2. Improve symptoms; 3. Ensure that it does not progress and strive for reversal; 4. Regular and timely review; early layout, effective intervention, and reasonable treatment, atrophic gastritis can be controlled or even reversed.