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Gastric cancer diagnosis: biomarker assessment

Graham Johnson introduces the first non-invasive test for assessing the structure and function of the stomach in patients presenting with dyspepsia.

This serological biomarker assay can be used in the primary care setting and also in secondary care as a pre-endoscopy assessment tool to ensure appropriate referral.

Dyspepsia is a common health issue in the UK, affecting 20–40% of the population.1 It is generally well managed by GPs in primary care, but in refractory cases or when patients present with more urgent symptoms it may indicate something potentially more sinister. Dyspepsia can signal diseases in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including atrophic gastritis (AG) or gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM), both of which are significant risk factors for gastric cancer 

Atrophic gastritis can be caused by a persistent Helicobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosa or by autoimmune mechanisms, and 18% of cases progress to cancer within 10 years.2 H. pylori is a class 1 (carcinogenic) pathogen and dyspeptic patients can be tested for the bacterium in primary care under current patient care pathways. For some patients with new onset of dyspepsia or alarm symptoms, referral for endoscopy is common, which is invasive and a huge cost burden to the healthcare system.

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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