For those who suffer from Stomach and intestinal Inflammation the condition can be bad enough. Now, on top of that, there is a higher risk of developing Cancer in those who have a type of chronic inflammation of the intestines or stomach, such as ulcerative colitis. This is a DNA-damaging inflammation that can cause cell mutations. These mutations can lead to disease, including cancer. Recent findings are from two different studies that researchers conducted.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted two separate studies on mice. Much of the study was to confirm long known information, but to now have scientific proof of the link between the cancer and the inflammation.

According to the researchers, it has been known for a long time that inflammation caused by different infectious agents can produce Cytokines. The chemicals that can help to aid in the growth of cancerous cell proliferationand can also suppress cell death. Infectious agents commonly known to produce cytokines are Hepatitis C and Helicobacter pylori.

This instance of cytokines can increase the risk of stomach and Liver cancers in the body. The researchers were also looking for answers to their suspicion that inflammation can be a pathway to inducing the cancer. This would react as the body’s response to Infection and include a release of reactive nitrogen and oxygen that can damage DNA.

DNA damage is normally repaired by the cells, but if there is a glitch in the DNA repair system, this damage would not only hurt the cells, but could also mutate in ways that can lead to cancer. Scientists had expected this outcome in the study but this is the first time that it has been scientifically proven. The DNA repair system is complicated and works differently for every individual person.

Just like any other study, everyone’s body is different, so there are different degrees of effectiveness with each and every DNA repair system in each body. Some people have DNA repair system that works perfectly, and others were born with a DNA repair system that cannot control some of the instances of cancer in the body. But with the results of this study, now doctors may be able to figure out which patients are more susceptible to the cancers that are induced by inflammation in the stomach and intestines. These variations may be the key to learning how to better treat these chronic inflammatory conditions and prevent the cancers from occurring.

If you have an inflammation in your stomach or intestines, the best advice is to see your doctor and discuss all of the signs, symptoms, and possibilities of developing cancer. You will want to make sure that your inflammation is monitored and controlled by a doctor on a regular basis. This is the best way to monitor for the development of cancer and catch it early enough so that the Prognosis is better. Prevention is the best medicine for people in this case, so be diligent about staying healthy.