The public is advised to use serving utensils during holiday banquets to reduce the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection, which is a common cause of stomach cancer, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said yesterday.
With Lunar New Year reunion dinners in full swing, diners passing dishes back and forth and sharing bites could spread H pylori among family and friends, the HPA said.
The bacteria are primarily transmitted via oral contact and the common practice of sharing dishes and cups during holiday gatherings could potentially increase the risk of stomach cancer, HPA cancer prevention division director Hsu Tsui-hsia (徐翠霞) said.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
Stomach cancer is the seventh-deadliest and the ninth-most common cancer in Taiwan, with more than 4,000 new cases and 2,000 related deaths recorded every year, Ministry of Health and Welfare data showed.
About 80 to 90 percent of stomach cancer cases in the nation are linked to H pylori infection, making it the primary risk factor, the data showed.
Detection of stomach cancer relies heavily on screening and regular health checkups, the HPA said.
The government on Jan. 1 started offering free lifetime stomach cancer screening for people aged 45 to 74 to help lower incidence rates, it said.
Those who test positive should seek medical advice on further treatment or examinations and encourage family members living in the same household to undergo screening, as early detection and treatment could reduce the risk of stomach cancer, it said.
Disease prevention should start with daily habits, HPA Director-General Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) said, advising the public to eat thoroughly cooked food, drink boiled water and reduce consumption of pickled, smoked and raw foods.
Meanwhile, doctors also warned that as Lunar New Year tables are often laden with rich meats, fried foods and sweet snacks, overeating or consuming greasy food can cause indigestion, abdominal pain or vomiting in children, while improperly stored or insufficiently reheated leftovers might lead to bacterial or viral gastroenteritis.
Parents should ensure food ingredients are fresh and hygienic, refrigerate leftovers properly and reheat them thoroughly, said Sun Jo-yao (孫若堯), director of pediatrics at Wuri Lin Shin Hospital.
Children should avoid raw foods, drink plenty of boiled water, and eat more fruits and vegetables to maintain healthy bowel movements, he said.
If a child develops severe vomiting or diarrhea, parents should watch for signs of dehydration, such as reduced urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes or decreased activity, and seek immediate medical attention when necessary, the hospital said.
In addition, children are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections such as colds, influenza and COVID-19 during the holiday due to crowded indoor spaces and poor ventilation at temples, Sun said.
Temple visits might also trigger allergic rhinitis, asthma or skin allergies in children, he said, urging parents to prepare antipyretics, thermometers, oral rehydration solutions and basic first-aid supplies in advance to cope with sudden illness.
Cold weather, active viruses, disrupted sleep schedules, frequent gatherings and irregular eating habits also make children particularly susceptible to illness during the holiday.
Emergency room visits for influenza-like illness peak during the Lunar New Year holiday, the Centers for Disease Control said.
As outpatient services are limited during the break, parents should ensure their children receive influenza vaccinations in advance, Sun said.
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