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Stomach cancer at a glance

Around 8,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year in the UK. This cancer is becoming less common in the UK and rates have halved since the 1970s.

Older people are more likely to develop stomach cancer, and most cases occur in people over 50. Infection with a common stomach bacteria called Helicobacter pylori is the major cause of stomach cancer. A poor diet that is low in fruit and vegetables and eating a lot of salt increases the risk of stomach cancer . And smoking also doubles the risk of getting the disease.

Cancer Research UK funds research into many aspects of stomach cancer, including work investigating whether screening for Helicobacter pylori infection and treating it could help prevent the disease.

To find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment for stomach cancer, please visit CancerHelp UK.

For more statistics on stomach cancer, have a look at CancerStats.