Risk score for esophageal and gastric cancer in the over 50-year-old population based on self-reported information –the RISC-GAP project - Summary - MDSpire

Risk score for esophageal and gastric cancer in the over 50-year-old population based on self-reported information –the RISC-GAP project

  • By

  • Timo Schmitz

  • Julia Reizner

  • Sha Sha

  • Ben Schöttker

  • Hermann Brenner

  • David Roser

  • Helmut Messmann

  • Christa Meisinger

  • Jakob Linseisen

  • June 27, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To develop a risk-adapted population-based screening program for gastric and esophageal cancer (GEC) using self-reported data from the UK Biobank.

Approach:
  • Study Sample: Data from the UK Biobank was utilized, focusing on participants aged 50 and above, excluding those with prevalent GEC. A total of 375,280 participants were included for statistical analysis.
  • Outcome Measurement: The outcome was defined as the diagnosis of gastric or esophageal cancer after the baseline visit, tracked through specific ICD-10 codes.
  • Statistical Analysis: Cox proportional hazard regression models with LASSO penalization were employed for variable selection to develop the risk score.
Key Findings:
  • Gastric and esophageal cancers are significant health threats, particularly in older populations.
  • The study aims to identify high-risk individuals for targeted screening rather than a general screening program.
  • The risk score (RS1) will be based on easily reportable variables to facilitate broad participation.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • The study is based on self-reported data, which may introduce bias.
  • The findings are limited to the UK Biobank population and may not be generalizable to other populations.
Conclusion:

The RISC-GAP initiative represents a significant effort to create a risk assessment tool that could lead to more effective screening strategies for gastric and esophageal cancer.

Sources:

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