Dr In on the Increased Incidence of Gastric Cancer in Minority Patient Populations

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 increased incidence of gastric cancer in minority patient populations, highlighting the disparities that lead to these patient outcomes in the United States.

Through a close examination of the incidence of this disease within this patient population, investigators have come to the conclusion that gastric cancer is a common cancer among minority patients, In begins. Gastric cancer is not as common among the general patient population; however it ranks within the top 10 most frequently observed cancers within minority groups, particularly among Black and Hispanic communities, she says, adding that for specific Asian populations, gastric cancer may even be within the top 5 cancers. Increased disparities in disease outcomes and mortality among patients with gastric cancer are therefore primarily rooted in the heightened incidence of the cancer itself, In explains.

The reasons behind this varied incidence of gastric cancer remain unclear, although it is likely due to a complex interplay of various factors, In continues. One potential explanation is the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which has been identified as a key cause of gastric cancer, she states. H pylori exhibits varying prevalence among different populations, but researchers are not certain that this factor is the predominant driver of these observed differences, In says.

Understanding these variations is crucial for healthcare practitioners when considering the possibility of a patient being diagnosed with gastric cancer, particularly in minority populations, In emphasizes. The need to recognize gastric cancer as a concern in the diagnostic stage is paramount, given the higher prevalence and potential impact on outcomes in these demographic groups, she says. As research delves into the underlying factors contributing to these disparities, the medical community aims to develop more targeted strategies for the early detection and effective management of gastric cancer in these populations, In concludes.