Blood test highlights problems of stomach cancer risk detection. (Briefly).

A simple blood test may help to identify people at future risk from stomach cancer, the world's second most common fatal malignancy, says Professor David Forman of the University of Leeds in the north of England. The test reveals if a patient has been infected with Helicobacter pylon (H. pylori), a common corkscrew-shaped bacterium that burrows into the stomach's mucus lining. The infection can be eliminated with a simple combination of antibiotics and acid-lowering drugs.

Speaking at the ECCO11 -- the European Cancer Conference in Lisbon -- Forman told conference attendees that there is "persuasive evidence" from various studies linking H. pylori infection to stomach cancer. He added, "A recent meta-analysis shows that these are now consistent in showing an approximate three- to six-fold increased risk of noncardia stomach cancer in H. pylon individuals." Forman added, "The test would also be cheaper than other screening interventions, such as breast screening and cervical cytology, which require expensive technology and frequent repeat examinations."