WELLINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand could see stomach cancer cases rise by nearly 50 percent by 2045, with Maori and Pacific peoples expected to be disproportionately affected, new research revealed Friday.
The study, conducted by Health New Zealand and the University of Auckland, creates a model that projects annual cases will increase from about 492 in 2022 to around 725 by mid-century.
Cases among people aged 75 and over are expected to double, potentially placing additional strain on health services, according to the study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
Researchers warn that existing ethnic disparities will widen, with Maori and Pacific peoples, who have already experienced the highest rates of stomach cancer, projected to see their case numbers nearly double over this period.
Stomach cancer is a top 10 cause of cancer deaths among Maori, with a five-year survival rate of about 27 percent, according to the study.
The study highlighted that many future cases could be prevented through targeted Helicobacter pylori screening and treatment programs. The infection, a leading cause of stomach cancer, is usually acquired in childhood and linked to overcrowding and socio-economic deprivation. ■
