According to a new study from the Netherlands, new cases of stomach cancer are expected to drop off by as much as 25% in the next decade in Europe. The reason? Better living conditions.

Stomach cancer is one of the most fast-acting and deadly forms of cancer, and it's thought that one's odd of stomach cancer are increased when they contract the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. The Helicobacter pylori bacterium is passed on between people sharing small spaces, and I think the indication here is that new housing in Holland, where living spaces are notoriously cramped, is allowing people more space and they're therefore passing on less illnesses. That having a bit of space could make such a vast difference on stomach cancer is pretty amazing. I am glad I live in a land of seemingly endless space.

A Japanese study by Shoichirio Tsugane and Shizuka Sasazuki examined the role of diet in the development of gastric, or stomach, cancer.

Helicobacter pylori infection is a strong and established risk factor for stomach cancer. After reviewing the evidence from many studies, the researchers found that the risk may also be increased with a high intake of various traditional Japanese salt-preserved foods. Processed meat and N-nitroso compounds may be associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer risk is decreased with a high intake of fruit and vegetables, particularly fruit. The researchers note that it remains unknown what constituents in fruit and vegetables play a role in gastric cancer prevention. Consumption of green tea is also possibly associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer, although the researchers note that the protective effect is limited to Japanese women, most of whom are nonsmokers.

A Californian woman has given up her fight against the Department of Labor to receive compensation for stomach cancer that she believes was caused by her years of working at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Francine Moran, 61, had filed a claim in 2003 under the under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. In 2005, she received a response that she was being denied compensation as there was "only a 43.9 percent chance her cancer was caused by her job."

The calculation of her exposure, based on the readings of a radiation-monitoring badge she wore at the lab, had fallen short of the 50 percent needed to qualify for compensation. She appealed the decision because she was not told to wear a badge for the first five years of her employment at the laboratory.

"It's like they were saying, 'Yes, we caused your cancer, but not by enough,'" she said. "And I think that's very insulting."

Moran recently suffered a heart attack in 2006,which she believes was caused by the stress of the whole process. The heart attack was her turning point, according to Moran. She decided to drop the case and live the rest of her life to the fullest.

Sanofi-Aventis SA has announced that Taxotere, a cancer drug, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for use as a new drug application for the treatment of advanced stomach cancer. Currently, Taxotere is used for treating breast, lung and prostate cancer. This is the first time in ten years that a drug for stomach cancer has proven effective in prolonging the life of a patient with gastric cancer.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the symptoms of stomach, or gastric cancer, are: loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, particularly difficulty that increases over time, vague abdominal fullness, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive belching, breath odor, excessive gas, unintentional weight loss and premature abdominal fullness after meals. Typically, treatment for stomach cancer is surgical removal of the stomach. For many patients, chemotherapy and radiation therapy given after surgery improves the chance for a cure.

Actress Lucy Lawless has not left the hospital bedside of her father, former Mt Albert mayor Frank Ryan, who developed complications after an operation for stomach cancer. Ryan is in a coma at Auckland City Hospital. According to an unnamed family source, the hospital admits an error was made during the operation to remove cancer from Ryan's stomach. At first, the operation seemed a success, and Ryan appeared to be doing fairly well, even joking with family members. Then, on day two, he fell gravely ill. On examination, it was discovered that the wounds had been improperly stitched, resulting in perforation, leading to an infection, called peritonitis, that spread quickly to his liver, kidneys and lungs. Ryan fell into the coma shortly after the discovery of infection. Ryan remains in a coma. Lawless remains at his side. At this time, the family remains quiet and does not wish to publicly speculate as to the cause of Ryan's infection.

Auckland Hospital's statement on the matter comes from David Sage, chief medical officer, who is quoted as saying, "We are satisfied that this patient received the highest standard of care. There are risks involved in any surgery and patients and, if appropriate, their families are always made fully aware of those risks." Standard statement expected from a hospital. This story does come in a week of other cancer patients suffering possibly fatal injury or death as a result of medical miscalculations. Hopefully, they can get Ryan's infection under control and get him turned around in the right directon for healing.

Almost twenty years ago, Sharon Van Meter was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Then she found a tumor behind her ear that was treated with an experimental radio frequency to shrink the tumor. In 2002, Van Meter was diagnosed with ovarian and cervical cancer. Van Meter, a three-time cancer survivor, whose cancer experiences have inspired her to donate her time to charity events benefiting hospice organizations who care for cancer patients, travels the country cooking first class meals to raise funds.

As a child, Van Meter was a gymnast who trained to join the 1972 Olympic team. After that, she went on to become the first woman to graduate from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, a professional culinary school. According to the Baxter Bulletin feature article about Van Meter, she says her parents were originally against her career choice. Her father wanted her to follow in his footsteps as a lawyer. "It was 1973, I didn't speak French and I ended up at this school with 573 boys," she said. "I cried for the first three months I was there." Van Meter said she passed the time by sending telegrams and calling home. She complained to her mother that the school didn't even have a bathroom for her so she had to stand up like the men. "She sent me a telegram, which I still have today, that said, 'I love you very much. Learn to stand,''" Van Meter said. "That's when the girl in me quit crying and the athlete in me came out to compete." Van Meter faces cancer in much the same way as she has with all of her life endeavors, as an athlete, pressing forward and forging her own path.
Photo credit: Kevin Pieper