Although the role of H. pylori bacteria in causing certain types of stomach cancer is still being explored, possible links between H. Pylori infection and gastric adenocarcinoma or low-grade gastric lymphoma have been suggested. While this does not necessarily mean that all individuals with H. pylori infection will ultimately develop stomach cancer symptoms, the possible causal link between the bacteria and types of stomach cancer is too real to be ignored by physicians diagnosing patients with gastrointestinal complaints.
Although only very few people with H. pylori infection will develop stomach cancer, the risk increases for patients who may have been infected for a longer amount of time (since childhood, for example) than others who may have acquired the bacteria only recently. In fact, those infected with the H. pylori bacteria have 3 to 6 times the risk of developing stomach cancer symptoms than those who are not infected.
The BreathID breath test System allows physicians to rapidly diagnose H. pylori infection in one office visit with this simple, non-invasive and cost-effective system. Once the BreathID test has been administered, if the test detects that H. pylori is present, a treatment regimen consisting of proton pump inhibitor (to reduce acid secretion in the stomach) taken simultaneously with two antibiotics for 7-10 days can begin immediately in order to eradicate the bacteria. This of course is a medical decision, made by the physician. Treating H. pylori will dramatically decrease the prognosis of stomach cancer in patients presenting upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
For more information about how the BreathID breath test system is used to detect H. pylori at the point-of-care, please watch a short film on Urea Breath Tests or contact a company representative by completing the contact form.