Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a critical public health concern that demands urgent attention. It is one of the most prevalent cancers in Iran, and it also has the highest mortality rate among all other cancers. Despite being recognized as one of the most preventable types of cancer worldwide, the healthcare system in Iran faces considerable challenges in preventing GC to curb its incidence effectively. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of public health and clinical experts regarding these complexities and explains how more effective preventive measures could be developed.
Materials and methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Iran from December 2023 to June 2024. The data collection involved semistructured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 31 experts in various fields related to GC, including education, research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management. These experts are affiliated with organizations such as the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, medical universities, hospitals, health centers, cancer research centers, education and research centers, the Iranian Cancer Association, and The Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran. Transcripts of the interviews formed the content of the data for analysis. Conventional content analysis of the data was conducted using MAXQDA 20.
Results: The experts' perspectives were categorized into two main sections: (1) the challenges of GC prevention in Iran, along with the barriers hindering the implementation of prevention, and (2) strategies for enhancing the prevention system. These strategies include fostering a healthier culture, increasing health status and value, empowering individuals regarding cancer prevention, and developing health-supportive environments.
Conclusion: Given the prevalence and mortality rate of GC in Iran, its prevention requires greater attention. The findings of our study emphasize the importance of GC prevention in Iran, which requires more attention and a shift from a medical approach to a social one. In this regard, the most important effective interventions are building health-related public laws aimed at creating a healthy social and biological environment and health promotional products.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; Iran; prevention and control; preventive measures.
Copyright: © 2025 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.