Stomach cancer rates have dropped nationwide over the past decades, but experts warn the decline hasn’t reached everyone. Latino communities continue to face a disproportionate burden, with cases occurring more frequently and often at younger ages. According to the American Cancer Society, about 26,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., yet Latinos are nearly twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to develop the disease—and typically a decade earlier.
Researchers point to multiple factors behind this disparity. Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to chronic stomach inflammation, is more common among Latinos. Socioeconomic barriers compound the problem: limited access to regular medical care, lack of insurance, and language obstacles often delay diagnosis. Genetics and dietary patterns may also contribute.
Early symptoms—such as indigestion, bloating, or unexplained weight loss—are easy to dismiss, leading many to seek help only when the cancer has advanced. That delay can be deadly. When detected early, survival rates exceed 70 percent, but most U.S. cases are found late, making treatment far more difficult.
Public-health advocates stress the need for targeted screening and education in high-risk communities. They urge individuals with family history, chronic stomach issues, or known H. pylori infection to talk to their doctors about testing. Without increased awareness and access, these disparities will persist, leaving Latino families vulnerable to a disease that is largely preventable with timely care.
See: “Early detection key as stomach cancer rates remain high among Latinos” (November 24, 2025)
