A 24-year-old recent university graduate in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, was recently diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, sparking widespread concern. The young woman had a strong habit of eating “chuanchuan xiang”—a popular street food— something like “lok-lok”, almost everyday for two years.
Chuanchuan xiang involves skewering various ingredients on bamboo sticks, then frying, grilling, or cooking them in hot pot. The dishes are typically very flavorful and heavily seasoned. Doctors found that she often skipped dinner and consumed high-salt, high-oil foods irregularly, which caused long-term damage to her stomach lining and eventually led to cancer.
Medical experts warn that stomach cancer is increasingly affecting younger people. While genetics can play a role, poor lifestyle and eating habits are key triggers. They advise young people to maintain healthy habits by avoiding overly spicy, scalding hot, or heavily seasoned foods, eating meals on time, and getting enough rest to reduce the risk of illness.
Specialists also caution against frequent consumption of street foods like chuanchuan xiang, which tend to be high in salt and oil, often use recycled cooking oil, and may have uncertain food sources—posing potential health risks if eaten regularly over time.
