The Role of Vitamins in Treating Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The five-year survival rates for gastric cancer are lower than most other cancers. Preventing this deadly form of cancer can have a significant impact on public health worldwide. A clinical trial was held involving more than 600 people; results are promising for a combination of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and an antibacterial treatment may result in preventing this deadly cancer.

The clinical trial was conducted among those who had the highest risk of developing gastric cancer. Researchers from Columbia and the Louisiana State University combined to conduct the trial in a particular area of Columbia that had a high rate of gastric cancer. Participants in the clinical trial were assigned randomly to five treatments. They were selected to receive:

One gram of vitamin C, or absorbic acid daily

30 milligrams of beta-carotene once daily

A standard treatment for the H. pylori infection. This bacterium has been associated with developing gastric cancer.

A combination of all these treatments,

A placebo

The clinical trial lasted for six years. Researchers looked at precancerous abnormalities in the stomachs of all the participants. They did biopsies at the beginning of the study, in the middle of the study, and again after the six years ended. Those people with precancerous abnormalities had their abnormalities either shrink or disappear among those people who received treatment. People who took the placebos did not have any decrease in their abnormalities. The researchers found the groups who received the three different treatments all had about the same effect on their abnormalities, but a combination of treatments did not appear to add any advantage.

Patients who had a precancerous abnormality known as nonmetaplastic atrophy all showed a regression in their abnormalities after taking the three standard treatments.

They did vary slightly in their regressions but all were close in their results.

Those receiving treatments for the H. pylori treatment had a regression rate of 4.8.

Patients receiving treatment with vitamin C were five times more likely to have regression in their abnormalities and those receiving beta-carotene were slightly above the five percent level.

This test confirms findings of other studies that show people who eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables that are rich in ascorbic acid and beta-carotene have a lower rate of gastric cancer. More studies need to be conducted to confirm the early trial results.

Many other clinical trials are under way throughout the world. The largest clinical trial is taking place in China where gastric cancer rates are high. They are testing the effect of vitamin and mineral supplements taken with garlic extract and anti H. pylori treatment. Other trials are taking place in England, Mexico, Italy, and other locations around the world.

These clinical trials and scientific researchers could aid those who have a high incidence of gastric cancer in their family. One thing to remember, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and if you are taking an excess of what your body needs it will be eliminated through urination.