Gastric cancer burden, risk factors, and early detection strategies in Latin America and Colombia

Background Gastric cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a disproportionate burden in Latin America. Despite global declines, incidence and mortality remain high in several countries in the region, including Colombia. Comprehensive, population-based descriptions integrating epidemiological trends, risk factors, and early detection strategies are limited. Methods A sequential exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted. A structured literature review was performed to identify key risk factors and early detection strategies relevant to Latin America and Colombia. These findings informed us of a descriptive and comparative analysis of population-based epidemiological data. Regional estimates for Latin America were obtained from international cancer surveillance sources, and national and subnational data for Colombia (2020–2024) were derived from administrative records. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality were analyzed as age-standardized rates per 100,000 inhabitants. Temporal trends and geographic variation were described without inferential statistical testing. Results Across Latin America, gastric cancer incidence and mortality showed marked geographic heterogeneity, with higher rates concentrated in countries along the Pacific rim, including Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia. In Colombia, national incidence remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2024, while prevalence and mortality increased over time, with persistent high-burden departments identified. The literature review highlighted Helicobacter pylori infection as the predominant risk factor, along with dietary, lifestyle, and genetic determinants. No country in Latin America has implemented population-based gastric cancer screening; reported strategies focus on risk-based prevention, opportunistic detection, and surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions. Conclusions Gastric cancer continues to impose a substantial and uneven burden across Latin America and within Colombia. The integration of population-based epidemiological data with contextual evidence on risk factors and early detection strategies underscores the relevance of risk-adapted approaches to gastric cancer control. These findings provide a regional evidence base to inform surveillance, research priorities, and the development of targeted prevention and early detection strategies in high-risk populations.