Screening for Stomach Cancer

While stomach cancer screening is not widely used in the general population, it may be recommended for people who have a higher risk of the disease. You may have:

• Endoscopy, which allows doctors to examine the stomach lining and obtain biopsies through a scope inserted into your stomach via your throat and esophagus.
• Imaging tests such as CT scans or ultrasounds to detect abnormalities. 
• Blood tests for monitoring potential indicators of stomach cancer. 
• Genetic counseling to assess hereditary risk, guide testing, and support decision-making. 

Who should be screened for stomach cancer?

Early detection is crucial for effective treatment of stomach cancer, especially for individuals at higher risk, including:

• People with a family history of stomach cancer.
• Individuals with inherited conditions such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), Lynch syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
• Those with conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcers, or a history of Helicobacter pylori infection that has led to significant gastric changes.

It’s important to discuss your personal risk factors with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate screening strategy for you.

Diagnosing and Staging Stomach Cancer

If you have symptoms of stomach cancer—such as persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or blood in the stool—your doctor may recommend one or more of these diagnostic tests:

• Barium X-ray: An X-ray of your stomach using a special dye.
• Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is used to examine your stomach lining.
• Biopsies: Tissue samples from suspicious areas are collected during endoscopy to see if they contain cancer cells.
• Molecular testing: We may perform molecular testing of your tumor to identify any proteins driving its growth and match you with targeted therapies. For example, people with stomach cancer that makes too much of a protein called HER2 may be treated with a drug called trastuzumab, which targets HER2.
• Imaging studies: CT, PET, and MRI scans help evaluate how far the cancer has spread. This process, called staging, is important for determining the treatment that is best for you.

It's important to see a doctor quickly if you have any stomach cancer symptoms that won't go away or are getting worse.