Why stomach cancer is often diagnosed too late
Stomach cancer deaths are rising globally, with late diagnosis identified as the primary factor for the high mortality rate. Medical experts emphasize that symptoms often mimic common digestive issues, leading to delayed medical intervention.
Why it matters
Increased awareness of early warning signs is critical for improving survival rates in a disease that is frequently caught too late.
Stomach cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with men continuing to bear a larger share of the burden.
The latest figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer show that estimated deaths from stomach cancer among people aged 0 to 85 and above rose about 1.9 percent, from 642,000 in 2024 to 654,000 in 2025.
Men accounted for most of these deaths, with the number increasing from 419,000 in 2024 to 426,000 in 2025. Among women, deaths increased from 223,000 to 229,000 over the same period.
Kenya, too, recorded an increase, with stomach cancer deaths among men rising by 3.7 percent from 565 in 2024 to 586 in 2025. Among women, deaths jumped 3.5 percent from 488 to 505 over the same period.
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