Patients having combination of the TA and TT genotype for MMP-1.3 polymorphism, a combination of the TC and CC genotype for MMP-1.4 polymorphism, and a combination of the TC and CC genotype for MMP-1.5 polymorphism are at more risk of lower stomach cancer (lower & middle body, antrum and pylorus of stomach), suggesting that these three polymorphisms, separately or in combination may be used as a marker for diagnosing and treating patients having lower stomach cancer in our population. The gene discussed is MMP1; the disease is gastric neoplasm.