A few risk factors for stomach cancer include^{3, 4}

• Age: Risk for stomach cancer increases with age, and 60% of diagnoses are in people ≥65.
• Sex: Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women.
• Race/Ethnicity: Stomach cancer is more common in Hispanic Americans, Black people, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.
• Geography: Stomach cancer is more common in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South and Central America.
• Family History: Although most people who develop stomach cancer don’t have a family history, the risk of stomach cancer increases if you have a first-degree relative that was diagnosed.
• Personal Health History: A history of adenomatous polyps, pernicious anemia, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, Helicobacter Pylori infection, common variable immune deficiency (CVID) or stomach surgery may increase your risk.
• Inherited Cancer Syndromes: Inherited gene mutations can raise risk of stomach cancer, and these syndromes include hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, gastric adenoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
• Type A Blood
• Workplace Exposure: Workers in the coal, metal, and rubber industries seem to have a higher risk.
• Diet: People that regularly consume processed, grilled or charcoaled meats, salted fish and meat or pickled vegetables have an increased risk of stomach cancer.
• Tobacco and/or Alcohol Use
• Being Overweight or Obese

To learn more about stomach cancer, please take a look through the resources we've curated for you by selecting the area you're interested in above.