Stomach Cancer Screening
People at high risk for gastric cancer may benefit from stomach cancer screening with regular endoscopy. Find out if you qualify for screening.
Screening for Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is relatively rare in the U.S., affecting approximately 26,000 patients per year. As such, there are currently no stomach cancer screening guidelines for people at average risk of the disease.
They simply have not been proven to be effective in reducing death from stomach cancer in the general U.S. population, and could lead to unnecessary medical procedures, emotional distress and cost. However, stomach cancer screening with upper endoscopy is encouraged in certain patients at high risk for the disease.
Who Should Consider Screening?
People at high risk of developing stomach cancer should talk to their gastroenterologist about the benefits and risks of being screened with regular endoscopy to check for signs of cancer. Those at high risk include people who have been diagnosed with:
- Atrophic gastritis, or a reduced number of gland cells lining the stomach
- Intestinal metaplasia, or when gland cells that normally line the intestine are found in the stomach
- Certain inherited genetic syndromes, including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis
There are no specified stomach cancer screening guidelines for people at high risk for the disease. Rather, individuals at high risk should work with their gastroenterologist to determine how often they should receive an endoscopy to check for cancer.
Stomach Cancer Symptoms
Early-stage stomach cancer does not usually have symptoms. Anyone experiencing the following signs of stomach cancer should talk to their doctor right away.
- Unintentional weight loss
- Poor appetite or feeling full quickly
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Frequent heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, including gastric ulcers and viral infection. The majority of people who experience these symptoms do not have stomach cancer. Still, it’s important to seek a diagnosis right away. The sooner stomach cancer is diagnosed, the better your prognosis will be.
Future of Stomach Cancer Screening
Researchers at Winship are currently studying the potential of blood-based tests to screen for stomach and other cancers. Once developed, a blood test could be used to detect stomach cancer at earlier stages in individuals at heightened risk.