Unexpected Endoscopies Reveal Rising Rates of Early-Stage Stomach Cancer in South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – September 5, 2025 – A surge in unexpectedly discovered early-stage stomach cancers during routine endoscopic screenings is prompting concern among South Korean medical professionals and raising questions about evolving risk factors. Doctors are reporting a noticeable increase in patients presenting without symptoms, only to be diagnosed with cancerous lesions during procedures initially ordered for unrelated gastrointestinal issues. This trend, observed throughout 2024 and continuing into the first half of 2025, is fueling calls for expanded screening programs and further research into the causes behind the rise.
The phenomenon centers around the practice of doctors ordering endoscopies for conditions like indigestion or abdominal discomfort, only to uncover asymptomatic stomach cancers.While early detection generally improves treatment outcomes, the sheer number of these incidental findings is straining healthcare resources and highlighting a potential shift in the prevalence of the disease. experts believe factors such as dietary changes, increased Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics, and environmental influences might potentially be contributing to the growing incidence. the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is currently analyzing data to pinpoint specific risk factors and refine screening guidelines.
The increase is notably striking given South Korea’s historically declining rates of stomach cancer, attributed to widespread H. pylori eradication programs and improved food preservation techniques implemented in the 1980s. However, recent data suggests this progress may be leveling off, with younger demographics now showing a higher incidence of early-stage cancers than previously observed. Doctors are emphasizing that while the overall prognosis for early-stage stomach cancer remains positive, the unexpected diagnoses underscore the importance of proactive gastrointestinal health monitoring, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. Further studies are planned to determine if the observed increase represents a true epidemiological shift or a result of increased screening awareness and accessibility.
