Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent cancers inthe world; almost two-thirds of gastric cancer casesand deaths occur in less developed regions.In China,based on two national mortality surveys conductedin 1970s and 1990s,there is an obvious clusteringof geographical distribution of gastric cancer in thecountry,with the high mortality being mostly located inrural areas,especially in Gansu,Henan,Hebei,Shanxiand Shaanxi Provinces in the middle-western part ofChina.Despite a slight increase from the 1970s to early1990s,remarkable declines in gastric cancer mortalitywere noticed in almost the entire population during thelast decade in China.These declines were largely dueto the dramatic improvements in the social-economicenvironment,lifestyle,nutrition,education and healthcare system after economic reforms started two decadesago.Nevertheless,gastric cancer will remain a significantcancer burden currently and be one of the key issuesin cancer prevention and control strategy in China.Itwas predicted that,in 2005,0.3 million deaths and0.4 million new cases from gastric cancer would rankthe third most common cancer.The essential package ofthe prevention and control strategy for gastric cancer inChina would focus on controlling Helicobacter pylori (Hpylori)infection,improving educational levels,advocatinghealthy diet and anti-tobacco campaign,searching forcost-effective early detection,diagnosis and treatmentprograms including approaches for curable managementand palliative care. Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent cancers inthe world; almost two-thirds of gastric cancer cases and deaths occur in less developed regions. In China, based on two national mortality surveys conducted in 1970s and 1990s, there is an obvious clustering of geographical distribution of gastric cancer in thecountry, with the high mortality being mostly localized inrural areas, especially in Gansu, Henan, Hebei, Shanxiand Shaanxi Provinces in the middle-western part ofChina.Despite a slight increase from the 1970s to early1990s, remarkable declines in gastric cancer mortalitywere noticed in almost the entire population during thelast decade in China.These declines were largely dueto the dramatic improvements in the social-economic environment, lifestyle, nutrition, education and healthcare system after economic reforms started two decadesago.petroleum cancer will remain a significantcancel and be one of the key issuesin cancer prevention and control strategy in China.Itwa s predicted that, in 2005,0.3 million deaths and0.4 million new cases from gastric cancer would rankthe third most common cancer. essential package of the prevention and control strategy for gastric cancer inChina would focus on controlling Helicobacter pylori (Hpylori) infection, improving educational levels, advocatinghealthy diet and anti-tobacco campaign, searching forcost-effective early detection, diagnosis and treatmentprograms including approaches for curable management and palliative care.