It may seem like stomach cancer doesn’t get a lot of attention, so you may think it’s not something to really worry about. And while the overall risk factor of your loved one developing stomach cancer is low, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood.
Understanding these risk factors and then talking to your elderly loved one and his doctors about steps you can take to reduce his risk of stomach cancer can be a good way to reduce the risk of this type of cancer.
Cancer care at home services can assist families and their loved ones through prevention, diagnosis, and long-term care
Stomach Cancer Risk Factors that You Cannot Reduce
As with most diseases, there are risk factors that you cannot change, but knowing that they put your elderly loved one at a higher risk can help you know how necessary it is for you to work with your loved one to reduce those risk factors that can be changed.
Some Risk factors that cannot be controlled include:
- Age – each decade older increases the risk of stomach cancer. It’s most commonly diagnosed in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
- Sex – Men are at a higher risk of stomach cancer.
- Race – Some races have a higher prevalence of developing stomach cancer. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Island Americans are all more likely to have stomach cancer than non-Hispanic White Americans.
- Heredity – Having a close family member who has had stomach cancer increases the risk.
- Having Type A Blood – While it’s not known why, people with Type A blood seem to be more prone to developing stomach cancer
Risk Factors You May Be Able to Reduce
Some lifestyle choices can increase the risk of stomach cancer. The good news is that for many of them, you can work with your loved one and his doctor to help reduce these risk factors.
Many of the risk factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer also increase the risk of other health conditions, including other cancers. By taking steps now for better health habits, your loved one can improve their overall health. Cancer care at home providers can help too.
Here are some areas to look at:
- Weight: Being obese increases the risk of cancers of the upper part of the stomach.
- Diet: An overly salty diet, or one that contains a lot of processed food, can damage the stomach.
- Excessive Alcohol Use: More than 3 drinks per day can increase the risk.
- Tobacco Use: Tobacco use doubles the risk of stomach cancer.
Getting Help with Cancer Care at Home
If your loved one does develop stomach cancer or any type of cancer and needs to receive treatment, you might find yourself needing to help with cancer care at home services. While cancer care at home providers are not medical professionals, they can come and walk beside you and your loved one as they receive cancer care at home services, providing support and assistance in many ways.
Your provider might help manage the many medications your loved one takes, assist with daily grooming activities like bathing or getting dressed, and help with meal preparation and cleanup afterward. A cancer care at home provider can also watch over your loved one if you are nervous about leaving them home alone while you run errands.
Treating cancer is always a difficult journey, but having some professional help with cancer care at home can provide the important support and relief necessary for a full recovery.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Cancer Care at Home in Modesto, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
Sources:
- Celebrate National Snack Month With Your Senior - February 5, 2026
- Employee of the Month: Vickie Sheckles - February 2, 2026
- Supporting Senior Nutrition and Hydration During Recovery - January 30, 2026