Elena Martinez, PhD
Sam M. Walton Endowed Chair for Cancer Research
Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health
Associate Director, Population Sciences, Disparities and Community Engagement
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

“Gastric Cancer Burden in the United States”

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Approximately 11,000 gastric cancer deaths occur each year in the U.S. Given that stomach cancer is frequently diagnosed at later stages, the relative 5-year survival rate is very low (32%). Despite this burden, relative to other malignancies, gastric cancer receives little attention and limited funding opportunities are available. As a result, there is a lot that is not known about the causes, progression, and treatment of this malignancy.