Dr In on the Importance of Early Cancer Prevention Strategies in Gastric Cancer

Haejin In, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS, FSSO, chief diversity officer, associate director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, surgical oncologist, associate professor, Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, associate professor, Health, Behavior and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, discusses the importance of identifying individuals at high risk for developing gastric cancer, specifically those in minority patient populations in the United States (US).

The identification of individuals at a higher risk for developing gastric cancer is an important area of unmet need in the US, In begins. Thus, significance lies in the potential for early cancer detection, offering a window of opportunity to intervene at earlier cancer stages when curative measures are more feasible. A key aspect of this risk assessment involves recognizing specific factors that contribute to an elevated risk for developing gastric cancer, she explains.

One prominent risk factor is a familial history of gastric cancer, an element that underscores the importance of understanding the genetic predisposition to this condition, In emphasizes. Additionally, within the US, people of certain ethnic minorities, such as Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals, face a higher risk of developing gastric cancer, she states. The identification and consideration of these risk factors are instrumental when identifying individuals who may be highly susceptible to developing this form of cancer, she imparts.

In states that her focus of research lies in early gastric cancer detection. As a surgeon, she often sees the impact of effective intervention. She says that it is her hope for patients to be diagnosed with earlier-stage gastric cancer, so potential cures may become a reality. This impetus has fueled an extensive and ongoing exploration into better understanding risk factors and developing proactive methodologies for identifying high-risk individuals.

Overall, the field of gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment can make a substantial impact on public health by mitigating the burden of gastric cancer through early detection and intervention strategies, In concludes.