Causes of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer can cause anemia, problems with digestion, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women, usually occurs after age 50 and may run in families, according to the Mayo Clinic. The causes of stomach cancer include family history, bacterial infections and lifestyle choices in diet and food preparation.

Infections

• "Helicobacter pylori" is a bacteria that can infect the stomach and result in ulcers and inflammation, and this chronic inflammation may cause stomach cancer.

Chemicals

• Cured meats such as ham, bacon and hot dogs contain nitrates and nitrites that can form cancer causing chemicals in the stomach.

Preserved Foods

• Foods that are preserved by smoking, curing or pickling such as pickled fish or vegetables increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Red Meat

• According to the Mayo Clinic, eating a diet rich in red meat that is cooked by barbecuing to well-done may be a cause of stomach cancer.

Tobacco

• Smoking or chewing tobacco can inflame the lining of the stomach, which may result in the development of stomach cancer.

Alcohol

• Excessive drinking over a long duration of time can inflame and damage the lining of the stomach and cause stomach cancer.

Genetics

• According to the Mayo Clinic, people with a family history of breast cancer involving the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and people with blood type A are more likely to develop stomach cancer.