Stomach Cancer Awareness Month – Education, Promotion and Prevention

Here’s why it’s now more important than ever to help raise awareness and support our healthcare trusts with the education, promotion and prevention of stomach cancer. From the early detection, diagnosing and treating cancer in our society, read more to understand the impact of the disease during Stomach Cancer Awareness Month – this November, with particular insight into poverty’s influence, our health literacy and more.

WHAT IS STOMACH CANCER? Stomach cancer is a disease of the formation of malignant (cancer) cells in the lining of the stomach and/or surrounding areas. Common symptoms of the disease can range among individuals, where some might display more or less than others, and more mild or severe than others. See our infographic below on common symptoms of the disease.

PREVALENCE AND STATISTICS: Cancer Research UK announced that between 2016-2018, a total of 6,453 new cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed every year. They state that with a survival rate of 17%, a staggering 54% of stomach cancer cases are preventable through correct diet, nutrition, physical activity, and alcohol consumption (Cancer Research UK, 2019). The incidence rate of stomach cancer is statistically higher in men than women, with the highest incidence between the ages of 85-89 years of age. However, its mortality rate highlights the sinister reality of the disease, as there are around 12 stomach cancer deaths every single day.

EDUCATION, PROMOTION AND PREVENTION: To ensure that the incidence and mortality rates associated with the disease are reduced each year, education and understanding of stomach cancer is evidently critical as deaths in England are reportedly more common in people living in the most deprived areas. The relationship between the health literacy of society, poverty and our health has shown positive trends for decades thanks to a multitude of studies. For example, in 2016, the British Medical Journal published an article linking childhood poverty to adult stomach cancer risk. You can read the full article, here.

Stomach cancer awareness month presents an opportunity to promote awareness of its symptoms, risks and prevention not just in the over 75’s who are most at risk, but also children and young adults whose health literacy might not reflect the level of understanding required for appropriate lifestyle changes and changes in habits for a healthier later life.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSED: As described by the NHS website, treatment will vary on the type of cancer, the size of the cancer, where the cells are in the body, if it has spread and individual health to determine the most effective treatment plan available. Malignant tumours and cancers are commonly removed by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted medicines. Specialist care teams, charities and medical experts will provide professional and extensive support to patients and their loved ones impacted by the disease. For more information and support, visit the NHS Website here, or seek support via Macmillan’s Cancer page, here.

OUR PART: JCA Medical Seminars understand the importance and urgency of providing the most relevant and up-to-date educational content to a multitude of radiologists and radiographers around the world. We host an array of specialist courses taught by some of the world’s leading experts in their fields including our Body Imaging PET/CT & MRI courses covering the detection and diagnosis of early and metastatic gastrointestinal cancers. To book a course, visit our website www.jcaseminars.com/courses

Follow our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages to see our continued support for stomach cancer awareness month coming this November 2022.

Team JCA Seminars