An oral rinse could provide early detection of gastric cancer, according to a study. This is early research that hasn’t been published yet in a peer-reviewed journal and this “swish and spit” rinse is not yet available. In their study, researchers analyzed bacterial samples from 98 people – 30 with known gastric cancer, 30 with premalignant gastric conditions, and 38 people without gastric health issues.The researchers reported there was little difference in the microbiome of precancerous and cancerous groups, but they said there were distinct differences between those groups and the healthy control group.
The scientists said their findings suggest that the changes in the microbiome could occur as soon as the stomach environment starts to undergo changes that will eventually develop into cancer. This is a very intriguing and important study since there are no known sensitive methods, other than endoscopy, to detect gastric cancer or pre-gastric cancer lesions. A mouth rinse also sounds simple and easy to perform compared with an invasive procedure. The microbiome (trillions of bacteria) in the human body plays an important role in our immune system and the prevention of cancer, but some bacteria predispose them to cancer. A better understanding of these bacteria and the ability to detect them using a non-invasive technique potentially allows screening of large populations, particularly those at risk for developing gastric cancer.
Researchers used the samples to see each group’s shared characteristics to be able to compare other samples which might have been healthy, precancerous or cancerous. Despite all the efforts they feel that it’s important to see what happens in the long run.Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, starts in the cells lining the stomach, according to the National Cancer Institute. When it begins at the top of the stomach, it is called gastric cardia cancer. When it starts in other sections, it is called non-cardia gastric cancer.
Typically, stomach cancer isn’t detected until the tumour has grown to a large size or cancer has metastasized outside the stomach, according to the American Cancer Society. Before diagnosis, people might experience poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms.
When cancer is detected and treated during its presence in the stomach the survival rate is 75% in five years. If detection and treatment are not done until after the cancer has spread outside the stomach, the five-year survival rate drops to 35%. When the cancer metastasizes to distant areas of the body, the five-year survival rate plummets to 7%. Treatment for stomach cancer includes two or more types of chemotherapy like radiation, immunotherapy, targeted, drug therapy, etc.
When choosing the best treatment, experts say a person and their medical team should pay attention to the location, stage, age, overall health, and personal preferences. Colon cancer takes seven to ten years. Stomach cancer is a little less, but it is still years. The researchers suggest that this oral rinse can pick up changes in the precancerous stage.
