It has been just revealed that the long-term use of heartburn drugs can become related to stomach cancer. Check out the latest reports about this below.
Heartburn drugs and stomach cancer links
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a popular class of heartburn drugs, are linked to stomach cancer, a recent review found.
The review indicates that prolonged use of PPIs—exceeding three months—“is significantly associated with an elevated risk of cancer,” while shorter-term usage “appears to pose a comparatively lower risk,” the authors wrote.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are powerful drugs that reduce the acidity in the stomach.
They accomplish this by binding to proton pumps, which are proteins in the stomach that release protons, a component of stomach acid, and prevent the secretion of protons.
PPIs are frequently prescribed to treat acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back up the esophagus, causing heartburn.
They are also used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a more chronic form of acid reflux, as well as gastric and gut ulcers.
The authors of several papers have examined the connection between the use of PPIs and the risk of cancer. They have found that there is a link between the use of PPIs and the development of stomach cancer and polyps. However, no other types of cancer have been found to be linked to the use of PPIs.
One of the studies reviewed by the authors studied data from approximately 2,400 records. The study found that using PPIs for a long time, specifically for one year and three years, was linked to a 1.5-fold and a 2.4-fold increase in the risk of stomach cancer, respectively.
Another research study followed 3,271 patients who were given PPIs after being infected with Helicobacter pylori. The study found that long-term use of PPIs was linked to a twofold increase in the risk of stomach cancer.
A study has found that the use of PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) in women can reduce the risk of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer. However, the review authors have warned against taking PPIs during cancer treatment, as studies have shown worse outcomes and an increased risk of mortality.
