Knowledge and practice of early gastric cancer screening among adults aged ≥ 45 years in China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: As the incidence of gastric cancer increases sharply in adults aged over 45 years, a better understanding of gastric cancer screening knowledge and practice is crucial to promote cancer-screening services. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge of early gastric cancer screening, adherence to screening, and perceived barriers hindering screening practices among adults aged ≥ 45 years in China.

Methods: A multi-center, face-to-face, cross-sectional study was conducted in community sites in Shijiazhuang, China, through the distribution of structured questionnaires from August to September, 2022.

Results: Of the 1053 respondents, only 13.4% demonstrated a good understanding of early gastric cancer screening. While 64.0% knew that gastroscopy is the gold standard for screening ("how to screen"), only 19.9% were aware of the recommended starting age ("when to screen"). Moreover, less than half could correctly identify high-risk groups ("whom to screen"), with awareness ranging from 20.5% for those infected with H. pylori to 47.8% for those with gastric diseases. Independent factors related to higher screening knowledge included female sex (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01-2.38), higher education level (OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 2.68-6.06), being with a personal/family experience of gastric diseases (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.12-2.52). In addition, only 23.4% of respondents underwent GC screening. The dominant barrier to early screening was the "absence of symptoms or signs", followed by "fearing procedural discomfort".

Conclusion: This study highlights significant gaps in early gastric cancer screening knowledge and participation among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China. Addressing these gaps through culturally tailored health education campaigns is a critical strategy for increasing public awareness and participation.