Gastric (abdomen) most cancers is usually referred to as a silent killer as a result of it normally causes no signs till it’s superior. But it’s surprisingly widespread: in 2022 practically 970,000 new circumstances had been identified worldwide, making abdomen most cancers the fifth commonest most cancers globally. Worldwide about 660,000 individuals died of abdomen most cancers that yr.
In Singapore, the Singapore Most cancers Registry 2021 Annual Report reveals that abdomen most cancers accounted for about 600 new circumstances yearly between 2017 and 2021. It’s the eighth commonest most cancers in males and the tenth in ladies. The mortality fee is excessive — roughly 53% of these identified die from the illness, contributing to about 5% of all most cancers deaths domestically. The primary purpose is late detection. Globally, abdomen most cancers causes round 800,000 deaths annually, underscoring the pressing want for consciousness and early screening.
Greater than two-thirds of sufferers in Singapore are identified solely at Stage III or IV, when remedy is much much less efficient. The general five-year survival fee is about 40%, but when detected at Stage I, survival could be as excessive as 90%. In contrast, Stage IV survival falls to under 20%. These stark numbers present why elevating consciousness and inspiring screening is important.
Why Early Detection Issues
Common screenings and check-ups can actually save lives. As a result of early gastric most cancers normally has no signs, many individuals solely search assist when it’s too late. In distinction, screening can catch the illness earlier than it spreads. For instance, one examine discovered that near 90% of sufferers identified at Stage I had good outcomes with healing remedy, whereas lower than 20% of Stage IV sufferers survived.
365 Most cancers Prevention Society (365CPS) notes that the brand new screening merely “requires solely a easy blood take a look at” and emphasises that “gastric most cancers could be cured if detected early”. Briefly, discovering most cancers early means much less aggressive remedy, decrease healthcare prices, and much better outcomes.
Screening Saves: Getting screened (even with out signs) can detect tumors after they’re nonetheless small. Early-stage cancers are far more attentive to remedy.
Easy Assessments: New assessments like GASTROClear solely want a blood draw. They’re quick, minimally invasive, and sometimes free or low-cost with subsidies.
Higher High quality of Life: Early remedy typically avoids extreme surgical procedures or aggressive chemotherapy. Sufferers can get well sooner and lead fulfilling lives post-treatment.
By making screening a routine a part of healthcare, we are able to flip these statistics round.
Recognising the Indicators and Dangers
Many abdomen cancers develop slowly over years. Sure components increase an individual’s danger, and a few early signs (although obscure) ought to by no means be ignored. Danger components embrace:
Age and Gender: Danger rises after age 50, and males usually tend to develop gastric most cancers.
Household Historical past: Having a relative with abdomen most cancers will increase your danger.
H. pylori An infection: Power an infection with Helicobacter pylori (a standard abdomen bacterium) or long-term gastritis can injury the abdomen lining and predispose to most cancers.
Weight-reduction plan and Life-style: A weight-reduction plan excessive in salted, smoked, or pickled meals and low in contemporary fruits/greens raises danger. Smoking and heavy alcohol use additionally contribute.
Different Components: Weight problems and a historical past of abdomen ulcers or persistent irritation can add to the chance.
As a result of early abdomen most cancers normally causes no clear signs, individuals typically attribute warning indicators to much less severe situations. Nonetheless, be alert to persistent issues resembling:
Higher stomach discomfort: Ongoing indigestion, ache, or bloating after meals.
Lack of urge for food or early fullness: Feeling full after small quantities of meals.
Unintended weight reduction: Shedding weight with out attempting, particularly if accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Gastrointestinal bleeding indicators: Vomiting blood or having darkish/black stools (an indication of bleeding within the abdomen).
Should you or somebody you understand has such signs for weeks, particularly with danger components current, ask a physician about screening. Early investigation can catch cancers that will in any other case go undetected.
Prevention: A More healthy Life-style
Whereas we can not change some dangers (age, genetics), everybody can take steps to decrease their probability of abdomen most cancers. Even small way of life modifications make a big effect:
Eat a balanced weight-reduction plan: Emphasise contemporary vegetables and fruit (particularly these wealthy in nutritional vitamins A and C). Restrict salty, smoked, and preserved meals. 365CPS dietitian Ng Jing Wen advises: “Have extra vegetables and fruit…particularly these wealthy in nutritional vitamins to decrease the chance.”
Keep lively and keep wholesome weight: Common train (every day walks, sports activities, exercises) and avoiding weight problems assist stop many cancers, together with gastric most cancers.
Keep away from tobacco and restrict alcohol: Smoking and heavy ingesting are identified most cancers dangers. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption will decrease your most cancers danger.
Deal with infections: Should you’ve had H. pylori an infection or persistent abdomen ulcers, observe up together with your physician. Eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics can cut back most cancers danger.
By adopting these habits, you not solely shield your abdomen however enhance your total well being.
GASTROClear: A New Blood Take a look at for Screening
Conventional screening for gastric most cancers is endoscopy (a digital camera take a look at down the throat), which is efficient however invasive and costly. A significant breakthrough in Singapore is GASTROClear, launched in 2019 by biotechnology firm MiRXES. GASTROClear is the world’s first permitted molecular blood take a look at for gastric most cancers. It really works by detecting tiny microRNAs (small RNA molecules) that abdomen tumors launch into the bloodstream.
This take a look at has confirmed extremely correct. In medical trials, GASTROClear detected about 87.5% of Stage I cancers and roughly 87% of all gastric cancers. In apply it achieves as much as 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity for abdomen most cancers That far outperforms older blood-marker assessments (which had solely ~50–60% accuracy).
As a result of GASTROClear solely requires a blood draw, it’s quick and minimally invasive. Outcomes are usually prepared inside every week, and the take a look at prices underneath S$200 at public hospitals. Singapore’s Well being Sciences Authority has permitted GASTROClear for medical use. Medical doctors can advocate it yearly for anybody 40+ or with danger components. (A optimistic take a look at results in a follow-up gastroscopy to verify any most cancers.)
In abstract, GASTROClear makes gastric most cancers screening simpler and extra accessible. Mixed with common well being checks, it brings life-saving screening to extra individuals who may in any other case skip an endoscopy.
Take Motion: Get Screened and Assist Others
To assist extra individuals get screened, Singapore’s “Keep CLEAR of Gastric Most cancers” marketing campaign (run by 365 Most cancers Prevention Society and companions) provides free GASTROClear screening for eligible adults. Residents aged 40 and above with a CHAS Blue/Orange card or different subsidies can register on-line for the marketing campaign. (For instance, the most recent marketing campaign is open for registration till 30 Sep 2025 on the 365CPS web site.) Encourage household and pals who qualify to enroll – early screening may save their lives.
You can even help the battle towards gastric most cancers by donating. Each greenback helps sponsor screenings for these in want, and Singapore provides enhanced tax aid (as much as 250%) for such donations. For instance:
$30 – A token of help for the trigger.
$100 – Covers session charges for 2 at-risk people.
$200 – Covers one full screening (physician’s session + GASTROClear take a look at).
$300 – Totally sponsors a gastric most cancers screening (session, take a look at, and evaluate) for one affected person.
Your present to 365CPS could be the distinction between life and dying for somebody who can not afford screening in any other case.
Keep knowledgeable and proactive: Gastric most cancers can typically be prevented or cured when caught early. By studying the dangers, adopting more healthy habits, and collaborating in screening campaigns, all of us contribute to reducing the toll of this illness. Collectively, let’s Keep CLEAR of Gastric Most cancers – get screened, give help, and unfold the phrase.
