HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF H. PYLORI SCREENING

HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF H. PYLORI SCREENING

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E210] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF H. PYLORI SCREENING ______ HON. JOE WILSON of south carolina in the house of representatives Thursday, March 12, 2026 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to highlight an important opportunity to prevent stomach cancer, ulcers, and other stomach diseases--and save lives--through increased awareness and screening for Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori. I am a strong supporter of stomach cancer research and have proudly authored a letter to the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense, along with my colleague Representative Josh Gottheimer, to continue to include stomach cancer in the DoD's Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program. I encourage my colleagues to join us in this effort and sign our letter. I also strongly support implementing prevention strategies already proven by research. H. pylori is a bacterial infection of the stomach that affects millions of Americans and is recognized as the leading cause of stomach cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage and remains one of our Nation's deadliest cancers. The bacterium is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is definitively linked to cancer in humans. Fortunately, it is also one of the few stomach cancer risk factors that can be detected with a simple non- invasive test and treated with antibiotics. There have already been significant studies on this issue. Large clinical trials and long-term studies have demonstrated that eradicating H. pylori infection can reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer by roughly 45 to 50 percent among infected individuals. In other words, identifying and treating this infection represents one of the most promising opportunities we have today to prevent a deadly cancer before it begins. This issue is particularly important for our military and veteran communities. Service members may face increased exposure to H. pylori during overseas deployments to regions where the infection is more common, as well as through living conditions that can facilitate transmission, such as close quarters in barracks or ship berths. Studies suggest that approximately 25 percent of the U.S. veteran population has had or currently has an H. pylori infection. The American College of Gastroenterology, which provides widely used clinical guidelines on this issue, strongly recommends that all patients diagnosed with H. pylori infection receive eradication therapy and be re-tested afterward to confirm that the infection has been successfully eliminated. In addition, household contacts of infected individuals may also benefit from testing. However, recent research examining veterans receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has identified significant gaps in care. A large study of veterans found that approximately 25 percent of patients who tested positive for H. pylori were not prescribed eradication therapy, despite clinical guidelines recommending treatment for all infected individuals. In addition, only about 21 percent of patients received recommended follow-up testing to confirm that the infection had been successfully eliminated, leaving many veterans unknowingly at continued risk. These findings highlight a clear opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts and improve care for those who have served our Nation. Improving early detection and treatment of a H. pylori infection has the potential not only to prevent stomach cancer, but also to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve force readiness by addressing a preventable disease before it becomes life-threatening. For these reasons, I support efforts calling on the United States Department of Defense to conduct a cost and feasibility study evaluating H. pylori screening among members of the Armed Forces and veterans, including those receiving care through the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Such a study will help determine how we can implement a targeted screening program for at-risk servicemembers and veterans and ensure that they receive the preventive care they deserve. I have submitted a request to the House Armed Services Committee to include this directive as report language in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, and I hope the committee will give this request strong consideration. I would also like to thank my constituent, Mike Fields, a volunteer with Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer, for bringing this issue to my attention and for sharing his personal story with me and my staff. This issue matters to families in South Carolina and across the country. By increasing awareness of H. pylori infection, expanding access to testing, and studying the feasibility of screening programs for military and veteran populations, we can take meaningful steps toward preventing stomach cancer and saving lives. Prevention remains one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer. Acting on the research we already have regarding H. pylori infection offers a practical and evidence-based opportunity to protect the health of Americans--including those who have bravely served our Nation. ____________________