Photo: Hou Chia-yu, Taipei TimesH pylori infection is the greatest known risk factor for gastric cancer, said Lee Yi-chia (李宜家), a professor of internal medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital. Sharing his personal experience, Chuang said he was diagnosed with gastric ulcer and H. pylori infection after paying for a gastroscopy in 2014. Seven years later, he was diagnosed with gastric cancer, Chuang added. H pylori can neutralize gastric acid and damage the stomach tissue, leading to gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, he said. If left untreated, it could lead to peptic ulcers, or even progress to precancerous lesions and gastric cancer, he said.

Source: Taipei Times January 27, 2026 17:12 UTC