Acid reflux drugs 'raise risk of stomach cancer'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A drug commonly used to treat acid reflux is linked to a more than doubled risk of developing stomach cancer, researchers claim.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach and are used to treat acid reflux and stomach ulcers.
A study published in the journal Gut identified an association between long-term use of the drug and a 2.4 times higher risk of developing stomach cancer.
In the UK, there are more than 50 million prescriptions for PPIs every year but they have been linked to side-effects and an increased risk of death.
A link between PPIs and a higher stomach cancer risk has previously been identified by academics - but never in a study that first eliminates a bacteria suspected of fuelling the illness's development.
Research by the University of Hong Kong and University College London found that after the Helicobacter plyori was removed, the risk of developing the disease still rose in line with the dose and duration of PPI treatment.
They compared the use of PPI against another drug which limits acid production known as H2 blockers in 63,397 adults.
The participants selected had been treated with triple therapy, which combines PPI and antibiotics to kill off the H pylori bacteria over a week, between 2003 and 2012.
Scientists then monitored them until they either developed stomach cancer, died or reached the end of the study at the end of 2015.
During this period, 3,271 people took PPIs for an average of almost three years, while 21,729 participants took H2 blockers.
A total of 153 people developed stomach cancer, none of whom tested for H plyori but all had long-standing problems with stomach inflammations, the study found.
While H2 blockers were found to have no link to a higher risk of stomach cancer, PPIs was found connected to an increased risk of more than double.
Daily use of PPIs was associated with a risk of developing the illness that was more than four-times higher (4.55) than those who used it weekly.
Similarly, when the drug was used for more than a year, the risk of developing stomach cancer rose by five-fold, and as high as eight-fold after three or more years, the findings showed.
The study concluded no firm cause and effect could be drawn, but doctors should "exercise caution when prescribing long-term PPIs... even after successful eradication of H plyori".
Responding to the study, Stephen Evans, professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Many observational studies have found adverse effects associated with PPIs.
"The most plausible explanation for the totality of evidence on this is that those who are given PPIs, and especially those who continue on them long-term, tend to be sicker in a variety of ways than those for whom they are not prescribed."
A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said: "PPIs are well-established and effective medicines to treat conditions such as stomach ulcers and acid reflux.
"PPIs available without prescription are only for short-term use and at low dose.
"Patient safety is of utmost importance and we keep all emerging evidence under review.
"If any new advice is considered necessary, this will be communicated to healthcare professionals and patients."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments