Stomach cancer screen trial receives vital extra funding from BUPA Foundation

3 December 2002

Fresh hope in the battle against stomach cancer has received vital new funding from the BUPA Foundation to ensure its continuity. A research trial of 56,000 people led by Professor Nicholas Wald of Barts and The London, Queen Mary's school of Medicine hopes to prove that about two thirds of all stomach cancers in Britain could be prevented.

Stomach cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the world and the H pylori infection of the stomach is thought to be a major contributor to this type of cancer, affecting about 40 percent of older adults in the UK. Research shows that the risk of developing stomach cancer is five times greater in people with H pylori infection.

Professor Wald's trial has been underway at BUPA screening centres across the UK since 1997 and has looked at whether screening and treating the infection in middle aged people can reverse the excess risk of developing stomach cancer. Funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the BUPA Foundation, the trial has already recruited 26,000 people and the additional support from both parties will enable the trial to be completed.

Professor Wald said: "If screening for the H pylori infection and subsequent treatment lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of stomach cancer, it could become recommended and effective practice to eradicate the condition around the world. Other than helping people to stop smoking, this may represent the most important means of preventing a common cancer.

"There are probably few other settings in the world that could recruit as many healthy adults into a screening trial as successfully and economically as has been achieved at the BUPA screening centres. Most importantly without this extra financial support from the BUPA Foundation and Cancer Research UK we would not be able to continue this vital work."

Dr Peter Mace, assistant medical director for BUPA Wellness comments: "BUPA is dedicated to the provision of the best possible health and care service for its customers and this includes investing in essential research into the prevention and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as stomach cancer. We are delighted to be involved both in the screening trial itself through our centres and in providing additional funding through the BUPA Foundation."

During this second stage of research, people will be recruited from BUPA screening in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Reading.