It is not true that more frequent and complex screening increases the chances of early detection of gastric cancer; instead, excessive testing increases panic and financial burden, and invasive tests such as gastroscopy carry certain risks.
- People in areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer (e.g., northwest, southeast coastal regions);
- Hp (Helicobacter pylori) infection;
- pre-cancerous diseases of the stomach such as chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric polyp, post-surgical residual stomach, hypertrophic gastritis, and pernicious anemia;
- First-degree relatives (parents, children, and siblings) of patients with gastric cancer;
- The presence of other risk factors for gastric cancer (e.g. high salt intake, pickled diet, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, etc.).
People who meet one of these criteria begin screening for gastric cancer at age 40 and have a gastroscopy approximately every 1 to 3 years thereafter.