Infection with the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori may increase a person's risk of developing larynx cancer.

Approximately two thirds of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.

In the United States, H. pylori is more prevalent among older adults, African Americans, Hispanics and people of lower socioeconomic status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the study researchers checked for H. pylori infection in 26 patients diagnosed with larynx cancer and 32 cancer-free patients. About 73% of patients with larynx cancer had H. pylori infection, the investigators found, while 41% of those without cancer were infected with the bacterium.

This study suggests that H. pylori may be an initiator or promoter organism of larynx cancer. H. pylori could make the cells lining the larynx more susceptible to cancerous changes when they are exposed to substances known to promote cancer, such as tobacco and alcohol.

According to the CDC, recent studies have shown an association between long-term H. pylori infection and the development of gastric, or stomach, cancer.

Gastric cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, and is most common in countries such as Colombia and China, where H. pylori infects more than half the population in early childhood. In the United States, where H. pylori infection is less common among young people, gastric cancer rates have decreased since the 1930s.

Cancer of the larynx is the most common type of cancer to occur in the head and neck. Approximately 10,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and roughly 4,000 people will die from it in 2001.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery November 2001;125:520-521

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It is quite clear that we will become increasingly aware that infections are a huge contributing cause for many illnesses. The central issue will then become how to treat the infection. Traditional therapy for H. pylori infection consists of 10 days to 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment. While this is frequently effective, it in no way shape or form addresses the underlying cause of the infection, which is usually an impaired immune system. Typically following a good eating plan, exercise and proper rest are helpful to restore the immune system back to its normal shape. However, I have seen many thousands of patients with infections such as Candida and rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic hepatitis that had stress as the major source of their impaired immune system. Unfortunately, I never really had any great tools until recently to address the stress, But energy psychology has been enormously helpful in my practice to address this element of healing. My current favorite is EFT to help restore the function of the immune system. Related Articles: Prilosec and Prevacid Natural Alternatives Ulcer Bacteria Linked to Heart Disease Ulcer Cure Improves Life Cure Improves Life Expectancy