Rep. Wilson Bipartisan Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act

Washington, DC- Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (D-CO) introduced bipartisan legislation to review the current state of stomach cancer in the United States and provide informed recommendations for promoting stomach cancer prevention and early detection efforts.

Nationwide, there are approximately 26,500 new cases and 11,000 deaths of stomach cancer annually. While stomach cancer makes up about 1.5% of all new cancers in the U.S., individuals at the highest risk for the disease might dismiss early stomach cancer symptoms, such as unexplained bloating, indigestion, anemia, and accompanying fatigue.

While there has been a general decline in stomach cancer incidence over the past century, the incidence of stomach cancer in younger people has been increasing steadily and in 2019, early onset stomach cancer accounted for more than 30% of all gastric cancers in the U.S.

"Over my time in Congress I have fought for the inclusion of stomach cancer among those cancers eligible for research funding under the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program in the Department of Defense. I am grateful to support this bill to promote early detection and prevention of this horrible disease. It is time to eliminate stomach cancer," said Congressman Wilson.

"Coloradans need more and better resources to prevent and identify stomach cancer -an uncommon yet still catastrophic type of cancer. As a doctor and as a Congresswoman, I am proud to partner up with Congressman Wilson in a bipartisan manner to present this bill that would help conduct a review on stomach cancer and gain further insights on how to best prevent and detect stomach cancer," said Congresswoman Caraveo M.D.

The Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act would direct the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a review of:

• Current incidence rates of stomach cancer in the U.S.

• Risk factors for stomach cancer among high-risk populations and the general public

• Availability of stomach cancer screening among high-risk populations

• Awareness and education on stomach cancer risk factors, symptoms, screening, and treatment options among high-risk populations and the general public

• Current efforts to increase awareness and education of stomach cancer

This review would then be used in a report to Congress that includes recommendations for establishing clear definitions of high-risk populations for stomach cancer, informing researchers, clinicians, and patients on identifying high-risk individuals and effective methods for detecting precancerous lesions and early stomach cancer, establishing routine screening guidelines for stomach cancer, and actions to improve the prevention and early diagnosis of stomach cancer.

This legislation is supported by a variety of stomach cancer prevention and advocacy organizations, including American Gastroenterological Association, DLH Foundation, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, GI Cancers Alliance, Hope for Stomach Cancer, No Stomach for Cancer, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Project Periwinkle, Sara Schottenstein Foundation, and Debbie's Dream Foundation.

"Through research, awareness and an unwavering commitment from diverse stakeholders, we can end stomach cancer as we know it today," said Andrea Eidelman, Chief Executive Officer of Debbie's Dream Foundation:Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF). "We applaud Rep. Joe Wilson and Rep. Yadira Caraveo for their leadership to advance this vision. DDF is honored to support their bill, the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act, as we continue to push for robust research funding that will lead to more effective treatments and guide future screening strategies for stomach cancer."

"We applaud Congresswoman Caraveo and Congressman Wilson for introducing the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act," said Aki Smith, Founder and Executive Director of Hope for Stomach Cancer. "This legislation is a crucial first step towards addressing the disparities in stomach cancer incidence and outcomes through early detection and prevention measures. By prioritizing research and increasing public awareness, we can save lives and improve outcomes for countless individuals. We are hopeful that this will eventually lead to the development of screening guidelines for stomach cancer. This bill represents hope and progress for those affected by this devastating disease, and we urge Congress to pass it without delay."

Read the text of the bill here.

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