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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2014; 20(16): 4491-4502
Published online Apr 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i16.4491
Gastric cancer research in Mexico: A public health priority
Clara Luz Sampieri, Mauricio Mora
Clara Luz Sampieri, Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala, Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Mauricio Mora, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Veracruzana. Médicos y Odontólogos, Col. Virginia Cordero, 91120 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Author contributions: Sampieri CL conceived and designed the study, performed the literature search and wrote the manuscript; Mora M co-wrote the manuscript; both authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, No. CONACyT of Mexico; Research project approved for Clara Luz Sampieri, No. 86575
Correspondence to: Dr. Clara Luz Sampieri, Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana. Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala, Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190 Xalapa, Veracruz, México. csampieri@uv.mx
Telephone: +52-228-8418900 Fax: +52-228-8418935
Received: October 27, 2013
Revised: December 12, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: April 28, 2014
Processing time: 183 Days and 22.1 Hours
Abstract

This study aimed review studies conducted on Mexican patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and/or diseases associated with its development, in which at least one Mexican institute has participated, and to assess their contributions to the primary and secondary prevention of this disease. A search of the Medline database was conducted using the following keywords: gastric/stomach cancer, Mexico. Studies of the Mexican population were selected in which at least one Mexican Institute had participated and where the findings could support public policy proposals directed towards the primary or secondary prevention of gastric cancer. Of the 148 studies found in the Medline database, 100 were discarded and 48 were reviewed. According to the analysis presented, these studies were classified as: epidemiology of gastric cancer (5/48); risk factors and protectors relating to gastric cancer (9/48); relationship between Helicobacter pylori and pathologies associated with gastric cancer and the development of the disease (16/48); relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus and pathologies associated with gastric cancer and the development of the disease (3/48); molecular markers for the development of diseases associated with gastric cancer and gastric cancer (15/48). Mexico requires a program for the prevention and control of gastric cancer based on national health indicators. This should be produced by a multidisciplinary committee of experts who can propose actions that are relevant in the current national context. The few studies of gastric cancer conducted on the Mexican population in national institutes highlight the poor connection that currently exists between the scientific community and the health sector in terms of resolving this health issue. Public policies for health research should support projects with findings that can be translated into benefits for the population. This review serves to identify national research groups studying gastric cancer in the Mexican population.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Mexico; Research; Prevention; Public health

Core tip: The few studies of gastric cancer in the Mexican population included in this review highlight the poor connection between the scientific community and the health sector in terms of resolving this health issue. Public policies for health research should support projects for the creation of gastric cancer research networks that include experts from different disciplines. These networks could generate, among other products, an official Mexican standard (Norma Oficial Mexicana) for gastric cancer as well as strategies for its prevention, control and treatment.