Screening for Stomach Cancer
Condition InDepth
The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
Screening Guidelines
There are no standard tests or current guidelines for stomach cancer screening in the US. However, if you have any risk factors for stomach cancer, your doctor will want to discuss them with you to help reduce your risk. In certain cases, your doctor may check for the possibility of cancer in the stomach. Those with higher than average risk of stomach cancer include having a positive family history or specific genetic mutations.
An upper GI endoscopy allows the doctor to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, and collect tissue samples to examine under a microscope.
Talk to your doctor about your stomach cancer risk and any tests you may need.
Screening Guidelines
There are no standard tests or current guidelines for stomach cancer screening in the US. However, if you have any risk factors for stomach cancer, your doctor will want to discuss them with you to help reduce your risk. In certain cases, your doctor may check for the possibility of cancer in the stomach. Those with higher than average risk of stomach cancer include having a positive family history or specific genetic mutations.
An upper GI endoscopy allows the doctor to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, and collect tissue samples to examine under a microscope.
Talk to your doctor about your stomach cancer risk and any tests you may need.
References
- Can stomach cancer be found early? American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html.
- Gastric carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116155/Gastric-carcinoma.
- Stomach cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/tumors-of-the-gi-tract/stomach-cancer.
Contributors
- EBSCO Medical Review Board
(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com.