H. pylori Screening Offers Fivefold Return in Gastric Cancer Prevention

Research demonstrates that Helicobacter pylori screening provides exceptional economic and health value, generating approximately five dollars in gastric cancer prevention benefits for every dollar invested in testing. H. pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach and significantly increases the risk of developing gastric cancer, one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Early detection and treatment of H. pylori infection can substantially reduce cancer risk and improve long-term patient outcomes. For Puerto Rico, where gastric cancer remains a notable health concern, implementing widespread H. pylori screening programs could represent a cost-effective public health strategy. This finding underscores the importance of routine screening, particularly for high-risk populations and those with family histories of gastric cancer.