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CancerStats Key Facts on Stomach Cancer

This page presents key cancer incidence, survival and mortality statistics, and the main risk factors for stomach cancer. A table of the latest stomach cancer statistics is also available.

You can download a PDF of the stomach cancer key facts page.

The stomach cancer statistics on these pages are designed for health professionals. If you are looking for information because you or someone you know has been affected by stomach cancer , then the CancerHelp UK pages on stomach cancer may be more useful and relevant. CancerHelp UK also includes a straightforward guide to understanding statistics.

How common is stomach cancer?

• In 2005, around 7,980 people were diagnosed with stomach cancer in the UK.

• Stomach cancer is the sixth most common cancer in men in the UK with around 5,100 new cases each year.
• Stomach cancer is the eleventh most common cancer in women in the UK with more than 2,800 new cases each year.
• 95% of new cases of stomach cancer are in people aged 50 and over.
• Stomach cancer incidence rates in Britain have halved since the 1970s.
• Worldwide, more than 900,000 people were diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2002.
• The highest rates of stomach cancer in the world are in Eastern Asia, and the lowest are in Western and Northern Africa.
• In 2006 there were around 86,000 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in the European Union.

Read more in-depth UK stomach cancer incidence statistics.

How many people survive stomach cancer?

• Over the last 25 years five-year relative survival rates for stomach cancer have tripled in Britain, but are still low at around 15%.

Read more in-depth stomach cancer survival statistics.

How many people die from stomach cancer?

• Each year more than 5,200 people die from stomach cancer in the UK.
• Stomach cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer death and accounts for around 3% of all cancer deaths.
• Stomach cancer mortality rates in the UK have fallen by around 70% over the last 30 years.

Read more in-depth stomach cancer mortality statistics.

What causes stomach cancer?

• Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection of the lining of the stomach, is the major cause of stomach cancer. Most cases of stomach cancer are associated with the presence of H. pylori in the stomach.
• Better living conditions with less overcrowding have led to a decrease in the prevalence of H pylori infection.
• It has been estimated that about 1 in 5 stomach cancers in Europe are caused by smoking, with a higher proportion in men (22%) than women (14%).
• Fruit and vegetables have a protective effect against stomach cancer.
• People consuming high amounts of salt have an increased risk of stomach cancer.
• Having a parent or sibling diagnosed with a stomach cancer increases risk of stomach cancer.

Read more in-depth stomach cancer risk factors.

Why not browse through our other stomach cancer sections...