Stomach cancer

In the mid 1970s stomach cancer was estimated as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide (Figure 1.3), but falls in incidence mean that it now ranks fourth.1-6

An estimated 990,000 people were diagnosed with stomach cancer worldwide in 2008, accounting for 8% of the total.1 There is wide geographical variation in incidence across the world, much of which is related to differences in diet and Helicobacter pylori infection (which has an estimated prevalence of up to 90% in parts of the developing world).7,8

Incidence rates of stomach cancer have been declining worldwide for several decades.7,9 The reasons for this decline are not well understood, but may include improvements in diet, food preservation and storage (which are linked with falls in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori). In 2008, more than 60% of cases occurred in Eastern Asia (72% in the developing world overall).1

Stomach cancer incidence worldwide is more than double in men than in women (rate ratio 2.2 : 1.0).1 There is an eleven-fold variation in male incidence rates between the regions of the world, and an eight-fold variation in female rates (Figures 5.1 and 5.2).1 In 2008, the highest incidence rates for both sexes were in Eastern Asia (42 and 18 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively), and the lowest were in Northern and Southern Africa (4 and 2 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively). The countries with the highest incidence rates in 2008 were Republic of Korea for males (62 per 100,000) and Guatemala and Republic of Korea for females (26 and 25 per 100,000, respectively). The UK was joint 99th highest of the 184 countries worldwide for males and joint 136th highest for females.1

Figure 5.1: Stomach Cancer (C16), World Age-Standardised Incidence and Mortality Rates, Males, Regions of the World, 2008 Estimates

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Figure 5.2: Stomach Cancer (C16), World Age-Standardised Incidence and Mortality Rates, Females, Regions of the World, 2008 Estimates

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section updated 19/09/11

Stomach cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide, estimated to be responsible for a tenth, or nearly 740,000, of all cancer deaths in 2008.1 Stomach cancer mortality rates closely follow the trend for incidence rates (the ratio of mortality to incidence was 0.75 in 2008), with a similar variation in rates across the regions of the world (Figures 5.1 and 5.2).1 The UK was joint 129th highest out of 184 countries worldwide for males and joint 151st highest for females.1

section updated 19/09/11