January 9, 2025, 3:54 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Stomach cancer is a malignant tumor disease of the stomach lining that is promoted by frequent infections of the organ. In the past, the average person over the age of 70 often developed this type of cancer – but the age of those affected is steadily decreasing, as a study shows.
Over the past ten years, the number of people dying from stomach cancer in Germany has fallen by 29% for women and 26% for men.1 Nevertheless, many people still succumb to the disease, with a total of 8,353 deaths recorded in 2020. In 2022, there were also 14,592 new cases in Germany – worldwide, there are over 960,000 people with around 660,000 deaths.2,3,4 However, the age of those affected by stomach cancer is apparently continuing to decrease, as a new study found.
Overview
Shift in the Age Group
The study’s background is the decades-long decline in the general incidence of stomach cancer. Reasons for this include improved hygiene standards and the treatment of infections caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Among other things, this bacterium can be responsible for the development of many cases of stomach cancer. Despite the decline, however, a frightening trend was observed in the number of new cases. The under-50 age group is increasingly affected by aggressive forms of cancer – including stomach cancer.
The research team was motivated to identify the causes behind this shift. The aim was to identify possible links between environmental factors, lifestyle, and biological mechanisms that could lead to a higher disease burden in younger people.
Analysis of Worldwide Cancer Data
The study used a retrospective analysis of long-term data from the GLOBOCAN database and several national and international cancer registries to examine global trends in the incidence of stomach cancer across different age groups.5 The focus was on adults aged 18 to 50 years.
The researchers examined the data from 2003 to 2017, also looking at subtypes of gastric cancer and individual characteristics of the disease, such as increased metastases. In addition to epidemiological data, the study also took into account risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori infections, dietary habits, obesity, and tobacco consumption. The scientists also closely examined genetic predispositions that could predispose individuals to stomach cancer.
Under 50s More Frequently Affected by Stomach Cancer
The scientists found that there are major differences in the global incidence and gender distribution of stomach cancer. The incidence figures were highest in East Asia. This could be due to regional dietary and lifestyle differences, increasing obesity, and environmental pollution. Globally, there were also more cases of stomach cancer in men.
While the overall incidence of this cancer is decreasing worldwide, there is an increase in adults under 50. There are also significant differences when looking at this age group and the overall figures. The increase was particularly noticeable in Western countries such as the USA and Europe. In East Asia, where stomach cancer is more common overall, this trend was less pronounced. It was also observed that women under the age of 40, i.e., often before their menopause, were more frequently affected by stomach cancer than men of the same age. According to the researchers, this could be attributed to higher estrogen levels.
Promotion of Preventive Measures
The study’s findings are highly significant for research, prevention, and treatment. For young people, who were previously considered a less vulnerable group for stomach cancer, the results show that preventive measures are urgently needed.
Screenings and preventive examinations could be recommended more frequently for younger age groups, particularly for those with a family history or other risk factors. Additionally, risk factors like diet and obesity need to be emphasized. A balanced, high-fiber diet and avoiding highly processed foods could have a preventive effect.
It is crucial for research to identify the biological mechanisms that underlie these aggressive tumors. Molecular studies could help to develop targeted therapies for younger patients.
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Classification of the Study
The study provides a sound analysis of global trends in gastric cancer but has some limitations. Firstly, it is a retrospective analysis, which means that causal relationships cannot be proven directly. This indicates that while the study offers initial insights, further detailed investigations are required to analyze the underlying mechanisms. Secondly, there were regional differences in the limitations of the data, which could have distorted the results.
Another issue is that individual risk factors, such as detailed dietary and lifestyle information, were not fully captured in the data analyzed. Therefore, it remains unclear what role specific environmental or genetic factors play in the development of these aggressive tumors.