Gastric Cancer: Global Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Helicobacter pylori Eradication, and Risk-Based Screening
7 affiliations
- 1Health Deputy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853577, Iran
- 2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
- 3Geriatric Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853577, Iran
- 4Health Assistant Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7193711351, Iran
- 5Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus International University, Nicosia 99258, Cyprus
- 6Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853577, Iran
- 7College of General Education, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Background: Declining age standardized rates conceal differences in gastric cancer by age, sex, anatomical subsite, histological type, and region. This review examines these patterns alongside risk factors, Helicobacter pylori eradication, screening, and surveillance. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched iteratively for literature available through January 2026. Google Scholar and reference lists were used to identify additional relevant sources. One reviewer selected sources, and findings were interpreted qualitatively according to study design, population, confounding, precision, and geographic applicability. Results: Standardized rates have fallen in many countries, while absolute case numbers continue to rise. Increases reported in some younger groups do not establish a uniform global trend because age definitions and registry coverage differ. Helicobacter pylori is a major causal factor, but mucosal damage, hereditary susceptibility, and other exposures affect risk. Randomized trials support eradication for reducing primary and metachronous cancer incidence. Screening associations with earlier diagnosis and lower mortality are largely observational and concentrated in East Asia. Conclusions: Prevention requires treatment of Helicobacter pylori and confirmation of cure. Advanced or extensive atrophy or intestinal metaplasia, autoimmune gastritis, and defined hereditary syndromes require the appropriate surveillance or specialist assessment. Family history, migration background, and behavioral exposures inform further assessment but are not equivalent indications for surveillance. Population screening and targeted assessment should follow local disease burden, antimicrobial resistance, and endoscopy capacity.
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BibTeX
@article{jouya2026gastric,
title = {{Gastric Cancer: Global Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Helicobacter pylori Eradication, and Risk-Based Screening}},
author = {Sara Jouya and Mai Abdel Haleem A. Abusalah and Zahra Shahabinia and Afrooz Mazidimoradi and Leila Allahqoli and Hamid Salehiniya and Do-Youn Lee},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218530},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8530},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gastric Cancer: Global Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Helicobacter pylori Eradication, and Risk-Based Screening
AU - Sara Jouya
AU - Mai Abdel Haleem A. Abusalah
AU - Zahra Shahabinia
AU - Afrooz Mazidimoradi
AU - Leila Allahqoli
AU - Hamid Salehiniya
AU - Do-Youn Lee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218530
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8530
AB - Background: Declining age standardized rates conceal differences in gastric cancer by age, sex, anatomical subsite, histological type, and region. This review examines these patterns alongside risk factors, Helicobacter pylori eradication, screening, and surveillance. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched iteratively for literature available through January 2026. Google Scholar and reference lists were used to identify additional relevant sources. One reviewer selected sources, and findings were interpreted qualitatively according to study design, population, confounding, precision, and geographic applicability. Results: Standardized rates have fallen in many countries, while absolute case numbers continue to rise. Increases reported in some younger groups do not establish a uniform global trend because age definitions and registry coverage differ. Helicobacter pylori is a major causal factor, but mucosal damage, hereditary susceptibility, and other exposures affect risk. Randomized trials support eradication for reducing primary and metachronous cancer incidence. Screening associations with earlier diagnosis and lower mortality are largely observational and concentrated in East Asia. Conclusions: Prevention requires treatment of Helicobacter pylori and confirmation of cure. Advanced or extensive atrophy or intestinal metaplasia, autoimmune gastritis, and defined hereditary syndromes require the appropriate surveillance or specialist assessment. Family history, migration background, and behavioral exposures inform further assessment but are not equivalent indications for surveillance. Population screening and targeted assessment should follow local disease burden, antimicrobial resistance, and endoscopy capacity.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -