Damage to the stomach lining can lead to cancer

They say new endoscopic techniques are available which could cure some patients with very early cancer without the need for major surgery.

Stomach and gullet tumours are the third most common cause of cancer death in Scotland.

Men over 40 are the group most likely to have the disease.

Despite some increase in survival rates, only 40% of patients survive one year after diagnosis.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, which produced the advice for NHS Scotland, said assessment and treatment should be standardised across Scotland.