H-pyori strong link to cancer?

[mmmy2cool]

I was diagnosed with H-pylori about two months ago. I took the two week prev-pac and I am still having major heart burn/reflux, I burp after everything I eat.  I also feel full and nauseated at times.  I feel very tired and weak.  I am going to call today to see a Gastroenterologist and ask/demand a scope.  I think I have been brushed to the side and this is just GERD some doctors say.  Since I had the H-pylori, I think I have a much higher chance of cancer. I am also type A blood, which I heard is a factor.  Is the link between H-pylori and stomach cancer high?  Could this just be gastritis....Please help with any answers.  I am a 37 yr old female.

[mmmy2cool]

Thank you so much for your informative input.  You answered many of my questions:)

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  There is a strong and definite link between H. pylori infection and the development of stomach cancer.  What should be clarified is that having H.pylori infection does not automatically increase your risk for stomach cancer.  If the infection is promptly treated and eradicated, your risk will not be increased.  Only when the infection becomes persistent is the risk for subsequent cancer increased.  Having lingering symptoms of heart burn/ reflux do not necessarily indicate that the H.pylori infection is still there.  You have to be retested for the presence of H. pylori (by a breath test or by testing samples taken with an endoscope) to see if your two-week treatment has been effective.  If H. pylori is again detected on repeat testing, then you have to undergo another course of treatment to eradicate it.