Summary: <p>Epigenetic alterations accumulate in normal-appearing tissues of patients with cancer, producing an epigenetic field defect. Cross-sectional studies show that the degree of the defect may be associated with risk in some types of cancer, especially cancers associated with chronic inflammation. Dr Mairi McLean speaks to Dr Toshikazu Ushijima about his study investigating these defects and the association with gastric cancer.</p>
