VOA标准英语2010年-Stomach Cancer on Rise Among Certain Y

Stomach cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and ranks second among cancers worldwide with at least 800,000 deaths yearly.  But in the United States, the number of cases has been declining, except for among one group of Americans.

Glenda Reimer, her sister Sandy Wilken and Wilken's daughter Mallorie have come to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland to help scientists better understand the disease that has devastated¹ their family.

"Our dad died at 75, our brother died at 50, our cousin died at 50," said Sandy Wilken.  "She had young children. We get days that they did not."

For generations the family has suffered from gastric² cancer.  Glenda Reimer had her stomach removed after she was diagnosed with the disease.

Sandy and Mallorie Wilken opted³ to have their stomachs removed because the risk of the disease was too high.

For years researchers have tried to locate one single cause for stomach cancer.  In Asia, parts of South America, Russia and other former Soviet⁴ bloc⁵ countries, experts think a higher consumption of preserved and salted food and poorly refrigerated food could be links.

Many studies also suggest that ulcers⁶ or polyps may stimulate⁷ the growth of cancer cells. 

Dr. Charles Rabkin and other scientists from the National Cancer Institute looked at gastric cancer rates in the last three decades among a large group of Americans ranging in age from 25 to 84.  Their findings confirmed an overall decline in gastric cancer, with one exception.

"The most important finding was this unexpected increase in gastric cancer rates in young U.S. whites," said Dr. Rabkin.  "We did not anticipate that there would be an increase in this group and we believe it may be an indicator⁸ of a new risk factor for gastric cancer which has not yet been identified."

The surprising findings have shown a three percent increase in noncardia gastric cancer which affects the lower area of the stomach.  The cancer scientists say this cancer often begins with an infection caused by a bacteria called Helicobactor Pylori, also known as H-Pylori.

"There may be either a new cause for gastric cancer in that population or perhaps some difference in their Helicobactor Pylori infection that's contributing to a new risk for gastric cancer," added Dr. Rabkin.

Until the mystery is solved, Mallorie Wilken is determined⁹ to live her life as normally as possible.

"It's not going to change me at all.  I'm not going to let it," Mallorie Wilken stated.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
 

1 devastated   

v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的

参考例句：

• The bomb devastated much of the old part of the city. 这颗炸弹炸毁了旧城的一大片地方。
• His family is absolutely devastated. 他的一家感到极为震惊。

2 gastric   

adj.胃的

参考例句：

• Miners are a high risk group for certain types of gastric cancer.矿工是极易患某几种胃癌的高风险人群。
• That was how I got my gastric trouble.我的胃病就是这么得的。

3 opted   

v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

4 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

5 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

6 ulcers   

n.溃疡( ulcer的名词复数 )；腐烂物；道德败坏；腐败

参考例句：

• Detachment of the dead cells produces erosions and ulcers. 死亡细胞的脱落，产生糜烂和溃疡。 来自辞典例句
• 75% of postbulbar ulcers occur proximal to the duodenal papilla. 75％的球后溃疡发生在十二指肠乳头近侧。 来自辞典例句

7 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

8 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

9 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。