Gastric (stomach) cancer is often called a silent killer because it usually causes no symptoms until it’s advanced. Yet it’s surprisingly common: in 2022 nearly 970,000 new cases were diagnosed worldwide, making stomach cancer the fifth most common cancer globally. Worldwide about 660,000 people died of stomach cancer that year.
In Singapore, the Singapore Cancer Registry 2021 Annual Report shows that stomach cancer accounted for about 600 new cases yearly between 2017 and 2021. It is the eighth most common cancer in men and the tenth in women. The mortality rate is high — approximately 53% of those diagnosed die from the disease, contributing to about 5% of all cancer deaths locally. The main reason is late detection. Globally, stomach cancer causes around 800,000 deaths each year, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and early screening.
More than two-thirds of patients in Singapore are diagnosed only at Stage III or IV, when treatment is far less effective. The overall five-year survival rate is about 40%, but if detected at Stage I, survival can be as high as 90%. By contrast, Stage IV survival falls to below 20%. These stark numbers show why raising awareness and encouraging screening is critical.
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Why Early Detection Matters
Regular screenings and check-ups can literally save lives. Because early gastric cancer usually has no symptoms, many people only seek help when it’s too late. In contrast, screening can catch the disease before it spreads. For example, one study found that close to 90% of patients diagnosed at Stage I had good outcomes with curative treatment, whereas less than 20% of Stage IV patients survived.
365 Cancer Prevention Society (365CPS) notes that the new screening simply “requires only a simple blood test” and emphasises that “gastric cancer can be cured if detected early”. In short, finding cancer early means less aggressive treatment, lower healthcare costs, and far better outcomes.
- Screening Saves: Getting screened (even without symptoms) can detect tumors when they’re still small. Early-stage cancers are much more responsive to treatment.
- Simple Tests: New tests like GASTROClear only need a blood draw. They are fast, minimally invasive, and often free or low-cost with subsidies.
- Better Quality of Life: Early treatment often avoids severe surgeries or aggressive chemotherapy. Patients can recover faster and lead fulfilling lives post-treatment.
By making screening a routine part of healthcare, we can turn these statistics around.
Recognising the Signs and Risks
Many stomach cancers develop slowly over years. Certain factors raise a person’s risk, and some early symptoms (though vague) should never be ignored. Risk factors include:
- Age and Gender: Risk rises after age 50, and men are more likely to develop gastric cancer.
- Family History: Having a relative with stomach cancer increases your risk.
- H. pylori Infection: Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori (a common stomach bacterium) or long-term gastritis can damage the stomach lining and predispose to cancer.
- Diet and Lifestyle: A diet high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods and low in fresh fruits/vegetables raises risk. Smoking and heavy alcohol use also contribute.
- Other Factors: Obesity and a history of stomach ulcers or chronic inflammation can add to the risk.
Because early stomach cancer usually causes no clear symptoms, people often attribute warning signs to less serious conditions. Still, be alert to persistent problems such as:
- Upper abdominal discomfort: Ongoing indigestion, pain, or bloating after meals.
- Loss of appetite or early fullness: Feeling full after small amounts of food.
- Unintended weight loss: Losing weight without trying, especially if accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding signs: Vomiting blood or having dark/black stools (a sign of bleeding in the stomach).
If you or someone you know has such symptoms for weeks, especially with risk factors present, ask a doctor about screening. Early investigation can catch cancers that would otherwise go undetected.
Prevention: A Healthier Lifestyle
While we cannot change some risks (age, genetics), everyone can take steps to lower their chance of stomach cancer. Even small lifestyle changes make a big impact:
- Eat a balanced diet: Emphasise fresh fruits and vegetables (especially those rich in vitamins A and C). Limit salty, smoked, and preserved foods. 365CPS dietitian Ng Jing Wen advises: “Have more fruits and vegetables…especially those rich in vitamins to lower the risk.”
- Stay active and maintain healthy weight: Regular exercise (daily walks, sports, workouts) and avoiding obesity help prevent many cancers, including gastric cancer.
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol: Smoking and heavy drinking are known cancer risks. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake will lower your cancer risk.
- Treat infections: If you’ve had H. pylori infection or chronic stomach ulcers, follow up with your doctor. Eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics can reduce cancer risk.
By adopting these habits, you not only protect your stomach but improve your overall health.
GASTROClear: A New Blood Test for Screening
Traditional screening for gastric cancer is endoscopy (a camera test down the throat), which is effective but invasive and expensive. A major breakthrough in Singapore is GASTROClear, introduced in 2019 by biotechnology company MiRXES. GASTROClear is the world’s first approved molecular blood test for gastric cancer. It works by detecting tiny microRNAs (small RNA molecules) that stomach tumors release into the bloodstream.
This test has proven highly accurate. In clinical trials, GASTROClear detected about 87.5% of Stage I cancers and roughly 87% of all gastric cancers. In practice it achieves up to 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity for stomach cancer That far outperforms older blood-marker tests (which had only ~50–60% accuracy).
Because GASTROClear only requires a blood draw, it’s fast and minimally invasive. Results are typically ready within a week, and the test costs under S$200 at public hospitals. Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority has approved GASTROClear for clinical use. Doctors can recommend it annually for anyone 40+ or with risk factors. (A positive test leads to a follow-up gastroscopy to confirm any cancer.)
In summary, GASTROClear makes gastric cancer screening easier and more accessible. Combined with regular health checks, it brings life-saving screening to more people who might otherwise skip an endoscopy.
Take Action: Get Screened and Support Others
To help more people get screened, Singapore’s “Stay CLEAR of Gastric Cancer” campaign (run by 365 Cancer Prevention Society and partners) offers free GASTROClear screening for eligible adults. Residents aged 40 and above with a CHAS Blue/Orange card or other subsidies can register online for the campaign. (For example, the latest campaign is open for registration until 30 Sep 2025 on the 365CPS website.) Encourage family and friends who qualify to sign up – early screening could save their lives.
You can also support the fight against gastric cancer by donating. Every dollar helps sponsor screenings for those in need, and Singapore offers enhanced tax relief (up to 250%) for such donations. For example:
- $30 – A token of support for the cause.
- $100 – Covers consultation fees for two at-risk individuals.
- $200 – Covers one full screening (doctor’s consultation + GASTROClear test).
- $300 – Fully sponsors a gastric cancer screening (consultation, test, and review) for one patient.
Your gift to 365CPS can be the difference between life and death for someone who cannot afford screening otherwise.
Stay informed and proactive: Gastric cancer can often be prevented or cured when caught early. By learning the risks, adopting healthier habits, and taking part in screening campaigns, we all contribute to lowering the toll of this disease. Together, let’s Stay CLEAR of Gastric Cancer – get screened, give support, and spread the word.
