By Johanna Chelcun, PA-C
Did you know…
…that Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome that leads to an increased risk for diffuse gastric cancer (67-83% risk by age 80) and lobular breast cancer (20-40% risk for women by age 80.)
…that the American Cancer Society estimated that one million people worldwide would be diagnosed with stomach cancer in the year 2007, and that 800,000 would die from the disease?
…that stomach cancer is the 4th most common malignancy in the world?
…that stomach cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide?
…that more than 21,000 new cases of stomach cancer were estimated in the United States alone for the year 2009?
…that over 10,000 Americans are estimated to die from stomach cancer in 2009?
…that the estimated 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer is only 22%?
…that approximately 1 in 113 men and women will be diagnosed with stomach cancer in their lifetime?
…that the National Cancer Institute invested only $12.4 million to fund stomach cancer research in 2008?
…that only 0.26% of the National Cancer Institute’s 2008 budget was dedicated to stomach cancer?
…that stomach cancer received the least amount of NCI research dollars in 2008 when compared to all other cancers?
It just doesn’t seem to add up!
Sources:
- 1.) American Cancer Society: Global Cancer Facts and Figures 2007. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/Global_Facts_and_Figures_2007_rev2.pdf.
- 2.) National Cancer Institute: SEER Stat Fact Sheets. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html.
- 3.) National Cancer Institute: A Snapshot of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer. http://planning.cancer.gov/disease/Stomach-Snapshot.pdf.
- 4.) National Cancer Institute: Fiscal Year 2008 Fact Book. http://obf.cancer.gov/financial/attachments/08Factbk.pdf.
- 5.) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Progress Review Groups: Report of the Stomach/Esophageal Cancers Progress Review Group. http://planning.cancer.gov/stomach/stomach_esophageal.pdf.
I have been researching the disparity in funding for gastric cancer also. Last year I lost my daughter to this devistating cancer. It appears that the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute really don’t care about funding gastric cancer. I’m very disappointed in their organizations. Members of Congress don’t seem very concerned regarding the disparity either. Unforturnately we don’t get to pick and choose a cancer. Not everyone will battle breast, prostate, lung or colon cancer. God bless you if you are ever diagnosised with gastric or pancreatic cancer. You’ll only survive a few months!
Joan I am sorry for the loss of your daughter.
I lost my brother at age 36 over 20 years ago and myself survived stomach cancer 1992 as well as second primary gastric cancer in 1997. One thing that is important to remember is that even though there may be no current familial history (as in our family’s case my brother was the first member clearly documented) all family members should be vigilant on screenings with special attention to gastric complaints. Gastric cancer is survivable but unfortunately remains undetected because of the invasiveness of the state of the art (endoscopy ) screenings.
5 years after my brother passed away (1988) I had some vague symptoms I attributed to gall bladder or heartburn but my physician insisted on an upper GI (routine back then) which demonstrated a large mass. If not for my brothers death my physicain would likely have treated me for months with meds etc. My mom was 76 and died last year of colon cancer also possibly linked to our genetic mutation.
Joan,
It’s nearly a year after your comment on the lack of funding for gastric cancer, but I wanted to tell you that we are working on increasing public awareness in some bold steps at this point. Please email me if you’d like to hear more and/or to help in your state. Hope you are doing as well as you can be. Sending warm thoughts to you,
Cindy Chelcun
kayjo51@yahoo.com
Lost my beloved husband to HDGC on 2/9/2009
Others in my family are being saved, thankfully.