Gastric Cancer Disparities Initiative
About the GCDI
Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide and is diagnosed in 27,000 Americans each year. In the United States, this burden falls disproportionately on ethnic minorities and immigrant communities, especially Asians. There exists no coherent national strategy for the early detection or risk attenuation of gastric cancer, even among identified high-risk groups. As a result, patients with gastric cancer in the US are diagnosed at later stages and demonstrate worse overall survival compared to nations of East Asia with established screening programs.
The under-recognition of gastric cancer risk among minority communities may be one of the most significant unaddressed healthcare disparities in the United States. There is a need for a national dialogue on strategies to decrease morbidity and mortality from gastric cancer in the United States, especially among the most vulnerable populations.