[Click! Health] 'Year-End Task' Health Checkup... Should You Try a Fatigue Stomach Examination?

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Every year at the end of the year, it’s not only famous tourist spots or department stores that get crowded. Hospitals and screening centers are also representative places that are always bustling at year-end. Many people who have postponed their annual health checkups due to no immediate symptoms or inconvenience rush to get screened in December as the year comes to a close.

However, when screenings are done at year-end, the influx of examinees at once can lead to inadequate examinations, and many appointments are already fully booked. Moreover, since stomach cancer screenings using gastroscopy are usually conducted every two years starting at age 40, it can become even more difficult to get screened without prior reservations.

Stomach cancer often goes unnoticed in its early stages due to a lack of clear symptoms, which can lead to life-threatening situations. On the other hand, if detected early, the cure rate is as high as 90%, so it is important to quickly identify any issues through regular checkups. Diagnosing stomach cancer is difficult based on symptoms or physical examination alone, so it is diagnosed through radiological tests (upper gastrointestinal series) or gastroscopy. Gastroscopy is most commonly used.

Even for the relatively lower-risk 20s and 30s age group, if there is a family history or frequent stomach discomfort such as heartburn or indigestion, or if chronic gastritis or atrophic gastritis is present, it is advisable to undergo gastroscopy. However, many people delay endoscopy due to fear of pain, discomfort from bowel preparation and anesthesia, or potential complications such as perforation or bleeding during the procedure. Recently, a simpler blood test called the 'GastroPanel' has been gaining attention.

Sleep Endoscopy Examination [Image Source=Getty Images]

The GastroPanel test is a blood test that can infer stomach health without gastroscopy by measuring stomach health biomarkers. It does not require anesthesia, so the test time is short. Since the stomach releases different biomarkers depending on the region, checking these values comprehensively allows assessment of stomach health.

The GastroPanel test simultaneously measures four biomarkers: Helicobacter pylori antibody (H. pylori IgG), pepsinogen 1, pepsinogen 2, and gastrin-17. It profiles how factors affecting stomach health are changing to evaluate stomach condition. Although it is a simple blood test, its concordance rate with biopsy results performed after gastroscopy is high at 92%.

Additionally, it provides detailed information on Helicobacter pylori infection status, gastric acid secretion, presence of atrophic gastritis, and specific areas of the stomach that cannot be identified by endoscopy alone, helping to assess current health status and prevent stomach cancer.

Dr. Lee Ji-won, a specialist in diagnostic laboratory medicine at GC Green Cross Medical Foundation, stated, “In situations where many people undergo health checkups at year-end, conducting this test, which requires no anesthesia and takes very little time, together with other screenings would be helpful for medical care.”