The Assessing the Gut Microbiota and Individual Diet (‘ABID) Study, led by Dornell Pete (Dine’ PhD Doctoral Student) and Dr. Amanda Phipps (Dissertation Chair, Associate Professor) from the University of Washington, is a dissertation project focused on studying risk factors for stomach cancer. In this study we will enroll at least 150 participants, focusing on adults living in the Northern Navajo Agency and Fort Defiance Agency.

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Cancer is an important health issue and is the second leading cause of death among the Navajo people. Stomach cancer specifically has greatly impacted the lives of the Navajo people over the years; with a 3.5 times higher rate of stomach cancer diagnoses among Navajo people compared to the general Arizona and New Mexico population. The ‘ABID Study aims to better understand risk factors for stomach cancer in the Navajo, such as stomach infections (Helicobacter pylori infection) and diet patterns.

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Conducting research on risk factors for stomach cancer can tell us about how we can improve and strengthen cancer prevention for the Navajo people, such as bringing more awareness and education around reducing the risk for stomach cancer. This study can fill a critical gap in our understanding of the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infections and diet in Navajo people residing in the Northern Navajo and Fort Defiance agencies of the Navajo Nation.

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Through this study, we hope to answer the following questions:

• How common is infection with Helicobacter pylori among Navajo adults? (H. pylori is a bacteria that has been shown to increase stomach cancer risk) 

• How does diet affect Helicobacter pylori infection?

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This study is approved by the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board (NNR-20.384T) and the University of Washington Human Subjects Division (STUDY00011217).