Large-Scale H. pylori Eradication Study Shows 40% Reduction in Gastric Cancer Risk
2 November 2025
A community-based randomised trial led by the Cancer Institute has demonstrated that population-level Helicobacter pylori screening and eradication reduces gastric cancer incidence by 40% over a five-year follow-up period. The study, conducted across six high-incidence districts in Tamil Nadu, screened over 28,000 adults aged 40–65 using a non-invasive urea breath test.
Participants who tested positive for H. pylori were randomised to receive either immediate eradication therapy or standard-of-care observation. Among those who received eradication treatment and achieved confirmed clearance, gastric cancer incidence fell by 52% compared to the observation group. Even in the intention-to-treat analysis, accounting for non-compliance and treatment failures, the risk reduction was 40%.
The results provide strong evidence to support incorporating H. pylori screening into India's national cancer prevention strategy, particularly in southern states where gastric cancer rates are highest.
Why This Matters
Gastric cancer is often diagnosed too late for curative treatment. This study proves that a simple, inexpensive intervention — treating a common bacterial infection — can prevent nearly half of gastric cancers in high-risk populations.