Stomach Cancer – Prevention with a Plant-Based Diet

Abstract

Worldwide, stomach or gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death. Unfortunately, diagnosis often occurs at a late stage, and standard treatment involving radical surgery results in more than half of patients relapsing locally or with distant metastases. Median survival rarely exceeds 12 months, and in metastatic setting, 5-year survival is less than 10%. Given that standard treatment is not very efficacious, the emphasis needs to be on prevention. Dietary factors have an important impact on gastric carcinogenesis, especially in case of the intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma. Healthy dietary habits, that is, high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, a Mediterranean diet, a low-sodium diet, avoiding salt-preserved food, red and high cured meat, sensible alcohol drinking,