Which groups are considered at risk for developing gastric cancer?

Atrophic gastritis and Barrett's oesophagus are recognized as significant risk factors for developing gastric cancer due to their pathological implications on the gastrointestinal tract.

Atrophic gastritis is a condition characterized by the chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to the loss of gastric glandular cells. This can result in a reduction in gastric acid production and an increased risk of infections and certain types of gastric tumor development. The chronic irritation and inflammatory processes may lead to dysplastic changes in the gastric epithelium, which can progress to cancer.

Barrett's oesophagus, on the other hand, is a condition where the normal squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium due to chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although Barrett's oesophagus is primarily associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma, there is also evidence suggesting that patients with Barrett's may have altered gastric physiology, potentially contributing to gastric malignancy.

In contrast, while chronic pancreatitis and obesity are associated with various gastrointestinal malignancies, their direct connection to gastric cancer is less established. Similarly, irritable bowel syndrome does not commonly pose a notable risk for gastric cancer. Therefore, atrophic gastritis and Barrett's oesophagus clearly