The prevalence of stomach tumors among young Chinese people has nearly doubled since the 1970s, from 1.7 percent to about 3.3 percent, said a senior Chinese medical expert.

Among patients under 30 years of age, less than 10 percent were diagnosed at an early stage, Dr. Ji Jiafu of the Beijing Oncology Hospital said on Saturday at a forum. Early diagnosis improves the survival rate to 95 percent, Ji said.

The doctor also said 400,000 new stomach cancer patients are found on the Chinese mainland every year, accounting for 42 percent of new cases worldwide.

Ji said the major causes for the increasing incidence of stomach tumors among younger people are work stress, lack of sleep, an unhealthy diet and pollution.

Ji suggested more frequent screening in areas with a high incidence of the disease and improved public education efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2008)