Dr. Khan on Overall Incidence of Gastric Cancer and CRC

Amir Khan, MD, surgical oncology, City of Hope, discusses trends in the overall incidence of gastric cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Over the last 3 decades, the rate of gastric cancer and CRC has decreased in the general population, says Khan.

Improved endoscopy screening leading to earlier treatment intervention has contributed to this drop in CRC. In gastric cancer, better food storage practices and decreased incidence of smoking are thought to be contributing factors, explains Khan.

Despite advances in the field, a rise in gastric cancer and CRC has been reported in young adults, says Khan.

The rise in gastric cancer and CRC in this population was attributed to a rise in diabetes, obesity, and smoking. However, an analysis showed that young adults aged 18 to 40, and 41 to 49, had a lower rate of these maladies.

Additional investigation is required to determine the mechanisms behind this rise in incidence in young adults, concludes Khan.