Wilson and Chu Introduce Bipartisan Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act
Washington, D.C. – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act, bipartisan legislation to review the current state of stomach cancer in the United States and provide actionable recommendations to improve prevention, screening, and early detection.
In 2025, an estimated 30,300 Americans will be diagnosed with stomach cancer and as many as 11,000 will die from the disease. With a five-year relative survival rate of just 36 percent, stomach cancer is among the deadliest cancers. When diagnosed at a late or distant stage, the five-year survival drops to just 7 percent.
Stomach cancer is often difficult to detect early because many symptoms, like indigestion, heartburn, and nausea, are mistaken for common gastric issues, and up to 80 percent of patients are asymptomatic in the early stages. Further, research shows that more than 70 percent of stomach cancers are caused by a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which is more prevalent among military service members, veterans, rural residents, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Early detection and treatment of H. pylori dramatically reduces stomach cancer risk.
While overall incidence has declined over the last century, the incidence of stomach cancer in younger people has been increasing steadily in recent years.
The Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act would:
Direct the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a comprehensive review of stomach cancer, including current incidence and mortality rates, risk factors such as H. pylori, availability and effectiveness of screenings, and public and provider awareness.
Require a report to Congress with recommendations to define high-risk populations, improve screening guidelines, and advance research, prevention, and treatment strategies.
Direct the Department of Defense (DoD), in coordination with NCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to study stomach cancer among service members and veterans and provide policy recommendations to integrate prevention and early detection into the Military and VA Health Systems.
"Over my time in Congress I have fought for the inclusion of stomach cancer among those cancers eligible for research funding under the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program in the Department of Defense. I am grateful to support this bill to promote early detection and prevention of this horrible disease. It is time to eliminate stomach cancer," said Congressman Wilson.
“Stomach cancer is a devastating disease that too often goes undetected until it is too late. Its early symptoms are easy to dismiss, and by the time most patients are diagnosed, options are limited,” said Congresswoman Chu. “This cancer disproportionately impacts veterans, people in rural communities, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who face higher rates of infection, lower screening rates, and more late-stage diagnoses. In fact, AANHPIs experience roughly double the rate of stomach cancer compared to white Americans, and in some groups, such as Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese Americans, rates can be three to five times higher. By improving research, screening, and public awareness, the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act will help save lives, close gaps in care, and bring us closer to a future where no one has to suffer the pain of this preventable cancer.”
This legislation is supported by Hope For Stomach Cancer & GC Disparities Institute, Debbie’s Dream Foundation, Sara Schottenstein Foundation, GI Cancers Alliance and Raymond Foundation, Project Periwinkle, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Gastric Cancer Prevention and Screening Program – Yale School of Medicine, National Minority Quality Forum, American College of Gastroenterology, Gastric Cancer Disparities Initiative, Stomach Cancer Task Force, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
“We are grateful to Congresswoman Judy Chu and Congressman Joe Wilson for their bipartisan leadership in reintroducing the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act,” said Aki Smith, Founder and Executive Director, Hope for Stomach Cancer. “This bill represents real hope for families across the country impacted by this devastating disease—especially those in communities that have long faced disproportionate risks and outcomes. By supporting research, awareness, and early detection—and by launching a Department of Defense study to investigate military-related risk factors—this legislation brings us one step closer to saving lives and closing persistent gaps in care. We strongly urge Congress to pass this bill without delay.”
“We strongly support the reintroduction of the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act and commend Representatives Judy Chu and Joe Wilson for their leadership on this urgent and often overlooked issue,” said Michael Ehren, Board President of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF). “This bill is an important step toward greater awareness and improved outcomes for patients, families, and military communities. DDF is proud to support this effort and grateful for the commitment to making stomach cancer a national priority as we continue to push for robust research funding that will allow us to turn better data into effective treatments and future screening strategies.”
“The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) applauds Congresswoman Judy Chu and Joe Wilson for introduction of the ‘Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act’ and for recognizing early endoscopy as a powerful tool in the detection and prevention of stomach cancer,” said ASGE President Amitabh Chak, MD, MASGE. “Beyond greater public awareness of stomach cancer, its signs and symptoms, understanding those most at risk for this deadly cancer can guide clinicians in their use of endoscopy that can prevent stomach cancer or catch it at a stage when treatment can still be effective.”
"I strongly support the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act. This vital legislation addresses a long-overlooked cancer that disproportionately affects immigrants, veterans, and underserved communities," said Dr. Chul S. Hyun, Director of the Gastric Cancer Prevention and Screening Program at Yale School of Medicine—the first program of its kind at a U.S. academic medical center.
“We are grateful to Congresswoman Chu and Congressman Wilson for reintroducing the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act, which would fund vital research and help develop actionable screening guidelines for physicians like me," said Amy S. Oxentenko, MD, FACG, President of the American College of Gastroenterology. "Gastroenterologists know firsthand the importance of detecting cancer early, but too often, this doesn’t happen for patients with stomach cancer. To change this tragic reality, we need to fully understand which of our patients, including our military servicemembers, are most at risk – and that's exactly what this bill seeks to achieve. ACG members across the country urge Congress to pass this critical legislation."
“Stomach cancer research, prevention and screening falls woefully short and there is a critical need to educate about risk factors and early detection to improve patient outcomes in the United States,” said Larry Kim, MD, AGAF, AGA President. “The Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act is the first step to address these gaps and lead to improvements for the future of public health. The American Gastroenterological Association thanks Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) for their leadership in addressing the rising rates of stomach cancer and supports this legislation that will help make a difference against this disease.”
A full copy of the bill is available here.
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