Exploring The Epidemiology Of Gastric Cancer In A Tibetan Population

335 Background: Gastric cancer is the 3rd leading cause of death from cancer and the 5th most common cancer world-wide. It is the primary cause of death for people of Tibetan origin in the Himalayan belt, with incidence (and death) rates between 60-140/100,000 people per year. Despite such a high disease burden, the epidemiology of gastric cancer has not been studied in this population. In this study, we explore gastric cancer risk factors among Tibetan refugees residing in India. Methods: Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were identified by reviewing admission, discharge and out-patient endoscopy records between 2013-2019 at the Tibetan Delek hospital in Dharamshala, India. Risk factors not captured in the records were collected through interviews of patients or their relatives. Results: A total of 52 gastric cancer cases were identified, mostly males (77%). Median age was 78 (range: 30-91 years). Of the gastric cancer cases, 32% (n = 12/37) were retired military, 19% (n = 7/37) were monks or nuns, and 95% (n = 36/38) were born in Tibet. Sixty-five percent (n = 34/52) of the cases had histories of dyspepsia, 49% (n = 21/43) had used alcohol, and 40% (n = 17/43) were past smokers. Ninety-five percent (n = 20/21) of cases had been treated with traditional Tibetan medicines for various reasons in the past. Of the 17 patients (or relatives) interviewed for dietary risk factors, 76% (n = 13) reported frequent ingestion of stale and unrefrigerated food, 30% (n = 5) did not eat fresh fruit, and 47% (n = 8) reported intake of fresh fruit < 3 times per month. Most (83%, n = 24/29) patients had non-cardia cancers located in the fundus/body (n = 12) and antrum/pylorus (n = 12). Fifty-two percent (n = 16/31) had been treated with either chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, and 34% (n = 11/32) of the patients were receiving traditional Tibetan medicine as treatment for gastric cancer. Conclusions: Tibetan people have socio-cultural, behavioral and dietary risk factors that may be associated with gastric cancer. Investigations of causal factors (genetic, infective ( Helicobacter pylori), environmental) with possible synergistic interactions could inform clinical and public health practice for this population and globally.