Probability of Developing Stomach Cancer
1 in 111 (0.9%)
Lifetime probability in US
About 0.9% of Americans will develop stomach cancer, with rates declining steadily over the past century.
Stomach (gastric) cancer has a lifetime risk of approximately 0.9% in the United States. Incidence has declined dramatically over the past century, largely attributed to improved food preservation (refrigeration reducing the need for salt-curing and smoking), decreased H. pylori infection rates, and reduced smoking.
H. pylori bacterial infection is the strongest risk factor, responsible for about 75% of stomach cancers worldwide. Other risk factors include a diet high in smoked, salted, or pickled foods, smoking, obesity, family history, blood type A, and certain genetic conditions (hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome).
The 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer in the US is approximately 36% for all stages, but over 75% when caught at a localized stage. Unfortunately, symptoms (indigestion, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite) are non-specific, and most US cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. In countries like Japan and South Korea, where stomach cancer is more common, routine endoscopic screening has dramatically improved early detection and survival rates.
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