Who Gets Stomach Cancer?

While the underlying causes of stomach cancer are still unclear, some groups of people have higher rates than others. Researchers are studying these populations for clues on how to prevent this cancer in the future.

• Stomach cancer rarely affects people under age 40, and is most often found in people over the age of 55

• Stomach cancer is twice as common in men as in women

• Stomach cancer is more common in people of African descent than in people of Caucasian descent.

• Stomach cancer is more common in some parts of the world than in the United States.

  For example, Japan has a very high rate of stomach cancer (80 to 90 cases per 100,000), while the United States has fewer than 10 per 100,000.