Gastrointestinal Malignancies

This article reviews esophageal, gastric, and colon cancers for the primary care physician. Risk factors, demographics, and screening are discussed. The rise of Western lifestyle has been a mixed blessing for these cancers. Our modern world has led to the decline of gastric cancer from the leading cause of cancer death before the 1930s to the 13th leading cause of cancer death now. Conversely, esophageal cancer is increasing faster than any other cancer. Screening for esophageal and gastric cancer is not practical in the West, but screening for colon cancer is gratifying for the patient and physician.