H.R. 4841 — Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act

This section states congressional findings concerning stomach cancer, including that it accounts for 1.5% of all new U.S. cancer diagnoses each year, an estimated 30,300 new cases in 2025, disparities in incidence and mortality among racial and ethnic groups, a decline in incidence despite insufficient awareness of risk factors and early detection needs, and public health benefits from increased prevalence data, outreach, screening, awareness, and education for at-risk individuals, the public, and health care providers.

This section directs the Director of the National Cancer Institute to conduct a review of stomach cancer incidence in the United States; risk factors including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and their prevalence in high-risk populations and the general public; optimal testing and treatment ages for H. pylori; availability, utilization, and effectiveness of screening (including endoscopic methods) and surveillance endoscopy in high-risk and elevated-risk populations; and current awareness, education, and federal efforts regarding stomach cancer. Not later than 18 months after enactment, the Director must submit to Congress a report on the review results, including recommendations for defining high-risk populations; informing stakeholders on identifying at-risk individuals and detecting precancerous lesions or early gastric cancer; establishing routine screening guidelines; and improving research, prevention, early diagnosis, screening, and treatment for stomach cancer.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Directors of the National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct a study on the incidence, risk factors, prevention, and early detection of stomach cancer among active duty members and former members of the Armed Forces. The study must include (1) an examination of incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates; service- and deployment-related risk factors such as exposure to burn pits, hazardous chemicals, contaminated water, occupational hazards, and Helicobacter pylori; disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, Armed Force, or deployment history; availability and use of screening, diagnostic, and treatment services in the military health system and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system; and opportunities to improve prevention and early detection strategies; and (2) coordination with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and other national cancer registries. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary must submit to Congress a report on the study's findings, including policy and programmatic recommendations to reduce stomach cancer incidence and mortality and proposed strategies for integrating stomach cancer awareness, screening, and treatment protocols into the military health system and VA health system.