Neil Bellack

2004 Research Trainee Award, Junior Graduate Studentship

Step towards the prevention of gastric cancer and ulcers: understanding the role of water in Helicobacter pylori transmission

Until recently, it was thought that peptic ulcers were caused by emotional stress. In fact, up to 90 per cent are caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium and can be treated with antibiotics. It’s estimated that 20 to 40 per cent of Canada’s population is infected with H. pylori, which creates a burden on the health care system due to the cost of ulcer medications required to treat the symptoms. H. pylori has been detected in water, which suggests that water may play a role in transmission. Neil Bellack is studying the prevalence of H. pylori infection in BC to determine patterns of infection across the province. He is also examining links between prevalence and different water sources. With a better understanding of how the infection is transmitted, it may be possible to develop mechanisms to block the transmission and prevent infection. Completed award term, August 2006

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