[THe secondary prevention of stomach cancer]

The histories of 313 primary gastric cancer patients were analysed. Stage-IV disease was identified in 55%. Radical surgery was performed in 26.1% of cases only. The evaluation of conditions of identification and time to diagnosis of gastric cancer in general health care service showed the inadequacy of the existing patterns and procedures of regular check-up and outpatient follow-up for secondary prophylaxis of gastric cancer. Potentialities and strategy of development of effective secondary prophylaxis of the disease are discussed.