{"title":"Perceived risk of gastric cancer associated with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors: Bridging the gap.","authors":"Ibrahim O Sawaied, Abraham O Samson, Efrat Golan","doi":"10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.107091","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been associated with potential adverse effects, including an increased risk of gastric cancer. Despite widespread use awareness of these risks among physicians varies considerably. Understanding physicians' perceptions and prescribing behaviors is critical to improving patient safety and promoting evidence-based practices. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and risk perception among gastroenterologists and non-gastroenterologists regarding prolonged PPI use and its association with gastric malignancy.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To assess physicians' awareness of gastric cancer risk associated with long-term PPI use and compare perceptions between specialties.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 33 physicians (15 gastroenterologists and 18 non-gastroenterologists) in Israel. Participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and prescribing behaviors related to PPI use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests to assess differences between groups and correlation patterns. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gastroenterologists demonstrated significantly higher awareness of the potential gastric cancer risks linked to prolonged PPI use (mean awareness score: 6.9 ± 1.2) compared with non-gastroenterologists (4.1 ± 1.3, <i>P</i> < 0.01). Despite their awareness 80% of gastroenterologists reported frequent long-term prescribing. Nonparametric correlation analysis revealed associations between specialty, knowledge level, and prescribing habits. Several misconceptions about cancer risk mechanisms were identified across specialties.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Physician awareness regarding gastric cancer risk of long-term PPI use remains inconsistent, especially among non-specialists, emphasizing the need for targeted educational programs and clearer prescribing guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23802,"journal":{"name":"World journal of clinical oncology","volume":"16 7","pages":"107091"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12305034/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"World journal of clinical oncology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.107091","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ONCOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been associated with potential adverse effects, including an increased risk of gastric cancer. Despite widespread use awareness of these risks among physicians varies considerably. Understanding physicians' perceptions and prescribing behaviors is critical to improving patient safety and promoting evidence-based practices. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and risk perception among gastroenterologists and non-gastroenterologists regarding prolonged PPI use and its association with gastric malignancy.
Aim: To assess physicians' awareness of gastric cancer risk associated with long-term PPI use and compare perceptions between specialties.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 33 physicians (15 gastroenterologists and 18 non-gastroenterologists) in Israel. Participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and prescribing behaviors related to PPI use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests to assess differences between groups and correlation patterns. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained.
Results: Gastroenterologists demonstrated significantly higher awareness of the potential gastric cancer risks linked to prolonged PPI use (mean awareness score: 6.9 ± 1.2) compared with non-gastroenterologists (4.1 ± 1.3, P < 0.01). Despite their awareness 80% of gastroenterologists reported frequent long-term prescribing. Nonparametric correlation analysis revealed associations between specialty, knowledge level, and prescribing habits. Several misconceptions about cancer risk mechanisms were identified across specialties.
Conclusion: Physician awareness regarding gastric cancer risk of long-term PPI use remains inconsistent, especially among non-specialists, emphasizing the need for targeted educational programs and clearer prescribing guidelines.
期刊介绍:
The WJCO is a high-quality, peer reviewed, open-access journal. The primary task of WJCO is to rapidly publish high-quality original articles, reviews, editorials, and case reports in the field of oncology. In order to promote productive academic communication, the peer review process for the WJCO is transparent; to this end, all published manuscripts are accompanied by the anonymized reviewers’ comments as well as the authors’ responses. The primary aims of the WJCO are to improve diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive modalities and the skills of clinicians and to guide clinical practice in oncology. Scope: Art of Oncology, Biology of Neoplasia, Breast Cancer, Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer-Related Complications, Diagnosis in Oncology, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Genetic Testing For Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Hematologic Malignancy, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Molecular Oncology, Neurooncology, Palliative and Supportive Care, Pediatric Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Translational Oncology, and Urologic Oncology.