“I have seen patients whose stomachs had to be removed because the ulcers had degenerated into cancer. Others bled out due to ulcer complications,” the GI expert said.
Senior gastroenterologists have warned that untreated or poorly managed stomach ulcers can deteriorate into stomach cancer. They identified Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as the primary cause, not spicy foods or fizzy drinks. “H. pylori is a very difficult bacterium to treat. It hides in the mucus lining of the stomach, where acid cannot reach it. If it’s not eliminated, it continues to damage the stomach wall, producing sores that can eventually develop into cancer,” said gastrointestinal physiologist Prof Agona Obembe.
In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts stressed the importance of seeking proper medical treatment instead of relying on herbal remedies or social media advice. Prof Obembe recounted, “I have seen patients whose stomachs had to be removed because the ulcers had degenerated into cancer. Others bled out due to ulcer complications.”
The National Cancer Institute and Cancer Council also cite H. pylori infection, smoking, alcohol, and family history as major risk factors for stomach cancer.