[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

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                            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.

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