TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Myths about cancer that attacks the digestive system can not be separated from the disease stomach acid or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Not a few people suspect the disease as a cause or indication of people suffering from gastric cancer.
GERD caused by weakening of the valve or sphincter located in the lower esophagus. Normally, this valve opens to allow food and drink to enter the stomach and be digested. After food or drink enters the stomach, the valve will close to prevent stomach contents from rising into the esophagus.
However, in patients with GERD, the valve cannot close properly so that the contents stomach, including gastric juices, up into the esophagus. As a result, over time the esophagus will become inflamed or irritated.
According to dr. Amanda Pitarini Utari, Sp.PD-KGEH from Brawijaya Hospital Saharjo, this assumption is not entirely true. The reason, GERD does not necessarily cause gastric cancer just like that.
“Stomach acid doesn’t just cause cancer. Indeed, one of the symptoms of gastric cancer is stomach acid. It takes a long time, maybe several years before stomach acid can eventually cause cancer. But it goes back to what the risk factors are, what kind of lifestyle the patient is living,” he said.
However, this does not mean that gastric acid disease should be taken lightly. As is known, gastric acid disease that has not been cured for a long time has the potential to cause complications because stomach acid that rises into the esophagus causes injury to the esophageal wall. The wound can expand and eventually lead to narrowing of the lower esophagus.
As a result of these injuries, the patient also becomes difficult to swallow food. This condition can also trigger the occurrence of Barrett’s esophagus, which is a disease that is at risk of causing esophageal or esophageal cancer.
“Stomach acid can also cause esophageal or esophageal cancer because of that. So, it must be cured with immediate treatment, don’t let it get worse,” said Amanda.
So, what about coffee which is considered a trigger for stomach acid and cancer? Amanda said so far drinking coffee is not a problem as long as it is not excessive. In fact, coffee consumption provides benefits for the body, especially the heart.
“It doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t overdo it. If you overdo it, you can be constipated too. If you have diarrhea, it becomes a disturbance to the digestive tract,” said Amanda.
Read also: Don’t Panic, Do These 5 Ways If You Have GERD
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