Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can then spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about cancer and how it starts and spreads,

What Causes Stomach Cancer?

Scientists don’t know exactly what makes cancer cells start growing in the stomach. But they do know a few things that can raise your risk for the disease. One of them is infection with a common bacteria, H. pylori, which causes ulcers. Inflammation in your gut called gastritis, a certain type of long-lasting anemia called pernicious anemia, and growth in your stomach called polyps also can make you more likely to get cancer.

Other things that seem to play a role in raising the risk include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• A diet high in smoked, pickled, or salty foods
• Stomach surgery for an ulcer
• Type-A blood
• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Certain genes
• Working in coal, metal, timber, or rubber industries
• Exposure to asbestos