Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer?

Posted by evapa @evapa, Apr 22, 2021

Has anyone been diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia? What does your doctor recommend? I was just diagnosed and am very anxious about it because of the risk of cancer. Would like to hear your experience with it. Thank you.

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I have some abnormal cells too along with chronic gastritis, I also had H Pylori too which is a risk factor. Get checked for that. I also have Barretts Esophagus which is in remission due to my taking of PPI's and a strict low acid diet. NO booze, No smoking. No soda! Drink water, decaf green tea, unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline. No mexican, Italian or FRIED FOODS! It's scary thinking about stomach cancer.Do what you can to put the odds in your favor.

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I was sent to an Oncologist who told me I have a better chance of getting prostate cancer than stomach cancer from this.
He said the 2 worst things to do are smoking and drinking, family history plays a role, and just plain bad luck.
I drink Healthwise low acid coffee in the morning.

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@riflemanz64

I have some abnormal cells too along with chronic gastritis, I also had H Pylori too which is a risk factor. Get checked for that. I also have Barretts Esophagus which is in remission due to my taking of PPI's and a strict low acid diet. NO booze, No smoking. No soda! Drink water, decaf green tea, unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline. No mexican, Italian or FRIED FOODS! It's scary thinking about stomach cancer.Do what you can to put the odds in your favor.

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Thank you. I will do all that. Do you have repeat endoscopies ever year or two? I was tested for H Pylori and it was negative.

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@riflemanz64

I was sent to an Oncologist who told me I have a better chance of getting prostate cancer than stomach cancer from this.
He said the 2 worst things to do are smoking and drinking, family history plays a role, and just plain bad luck.
I drink Healthwise low acid coffee in the morning.

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Thanks about the tip of low acid coffee.

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I've had 3 EGD's in the past 3yrs. I just switched to a new GI Dr. I hope I don't need one for a few years. One other thing is go easy on salt intake. Table salt is very corrosive and no good for you. If you have gerd buy the book The acid watcher diet from amazon. A lot of great info on this disease. Cut out processed meats and foods. I only use 3 tablespoons of coffee for my bunn drip coffee maker 10 cup pot. You don't need much.

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@riflemanz64

I've had 3 EGD's in the past 3yrs. I just switched to a new GI Dr. I hope I don't need one for a few years. One other thing is go easy on salt intake. Table salt is very corrosive and no good for you. If you have gerd buy the book The acid watcher diet from amazon. A lot of great info on this disease. Cut out processed meats and foods. I only use 3 tablespoons of coffee for my bunn drip coffee maker 10 cup pot. You don't need much.

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Thank you so much. What were your symptoms before you were diagnosed and what prompted you to go the gastroenterologist? I have no gerd and the only reason I went to see a gastroenterologist is because I was severely constipated. So he ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy and that is how I was diagnosed. I was quite shocked and am still trying to deal with it. Your comments and advice help.

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I had acid reflux at night. I was mowing the lawn one day when my heart starting beating like a freight train. I thought I was having the big one. I went to the hospital and they did a EGD (upper endo) found out I had a bleeding ulcer, Barretts, chronic gastritis, H Pylori. My hemaglobin was down to 7, that's why my heart was pounding trying to pump blood. They fixed my ulcer and put me on a PPi and a low acid diet. I now eat a healthy low acid diet. Stay away from smoked meats and salt. You might have silent acid reflux.

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@riflemanz64

I had acid reflux at night. I was mowing the lawn one day when my heart starting beating like a freight train. I thought I was having the big one. I went to the hospital and they did a EGD (upper endo) found out I had a bleeding ulcer, Barretts, chronic gastritis, H Pylori. My hemaglobin was down to 7, that's why my heart was pounding trying to pump blood. They fixed my ulcer and put me on a PPi and a low acid diet. I now eat a healthy low acid diet. Stay away from smoked meats and salt. You might have silent acid reflux.

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Yes I may have silent reflux and I am careful with my diet. I am trying to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist who specializes in intestinal metaplasia. My regular gastroenterologist says it is not likely to develop cancer from it but I like to find out more and educate myself. It is good talking to you.

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Are you on a PPI? Stay away from vinegar based products. No citrus either. Ripe bananas are good to eat, melon too. Good luck and let us know what your new Dr. says.

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I was also diagnosed with this and quite surprised as well. I have to go every two years for an endoscopy. I have GERD and possible silent reflux. ENT says throat looks normal but could still have reflux. My symptoms for reflux were kind of strange. Severe burning in back of throat. MRI of throat was normal but doctors still think reflux. Next test is PH monitoring for 24 hrs. Hoping to not need a surgery and to possibly control this with PPI's. Attacks are horrible. Good luck to all who struggle with this.

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