*EMBARGOED All research presented at the 2024 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course is strictly embargoed until Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm ET.
P3334 – Elevated Rate of Gastric Cancer in Native American and Native Alaskans in Alaska Compared to in Other Regions
Monday, October 28, 2024 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET | Exhibit Hall E
Author Insight from Tulika Saggar, MD
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
The overall rate of gastric cancer in the United States was 5.0 per 100,000 in whites and 9.9 per 100,000 in Native American and Native Alaskans (NA/AN), a 1.98 times higher rate in NA/AN. The highest regional rate in NA/AN versus whites was in the Alaska region, where NA/ANs had a 4.23 times higher rate of gastric cancer compared to whites (18.2 vs 4.3). This regional rate difference was even higher in males, where NA/NA males had a 4.89 times higher rate of gastric cancer than white males in the Alaska region (26.4 vs 5.4). Our study has demonstrated that Native American and Alaskan Natives have a much higher rate of gastric cancer compared to whites. This rate is even higher in certain regions, particularly the Alaska region. This finding suggests that much more research needs to be done about these regional differences, particularly in Alaska, to determine if any genetic factors, dietary habits, or access to care issues exist in these areas.
What do patients need to know?
Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer in the United States. Changes in diet and medical therapy has resulted in a decrease in the rate of new cases of gastric cancer. Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have an almost 2 times higher rate of gastric cancer compared to Caucasians. We found that in the Alaska region, this rate is even higher with Native Americans and Alaskan Natives having more than 4 times higher rate of gastric cancer compared to Caucasians. This disparity is even higher in males where Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have an almost 5 times higher rate of gastric cancer compared to Caucasian males. This finding suggests that much more research needs to be done about regional and gender differences, particularly in Alaska, to determine if any genetic factors, dietary habits, or access to care issues exist in these areas to results in such higher rates of gastric cancer.
Author Contact
Tulika Saggar, MD
Nassau University Medical Center
East Meadow, NY
tsaggar [at] numc.edu
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