These researchers sought to determine why Māori experience disproportionate rates of stomach cancer compared to non-Māori and to identify priorities for prevention. The study examined 165 Māori stomach cancer cases from the New Zealand Cancer Registry between 1 February 2009 and 31 October 2013; 480 randomly selected Māori controls from the NZ electoral roll were matched by 5-year age bands to cases. The diffuse subtype made up nearly half of all cancers (47.9%). The following risk factors were all associated with increased odds of stomach cancer: having >2 people sharing a bedroom in childhood (OR 3.30; 95% CI, 1.95 to 5.59), being tested for Helicobacter pylori (OR 12.17; 95% CI, 6.15 to 24.08), being an ex-smoker (OR 2.26; 95% CI, 1.44 to 3.54) and adult exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (OR 3.29; 95% CI, 1.94 to 5.59). Some results were attenuated following post-stratification weighting. The researchers call for populationlevel strategies to reduce the incidence of stomach cancer in Māori, including expanding measures to screen and treat those infected with H. pylori and a continued policy focus on reducing tobacco consumption and uptake.
