Eleven members of one family have all had their stomachs removed after advances in genetic testing showed they would probably die young from a rare hereditary form of gastric cancer.

Growing up, they had watched as the disease killed grandmothers, parents, aunts and uncles in their 40s and 50s. But recent advances in genetic-testing procedures have given them a choice.

Of 17 cousins who had tests for the CDH1 gene, 11 proved positive and they have now had pre-emptive surgery.

Doctors say they are the largest family group to have had their stomachs taken out to protect themselves from cancer, part of a growing trend by which patients opt for radical surgery before - rather than after - they fall ill.

Although none of them were showing any signs of stomach cancer, tests on the tissue removed during the operation later showed early-stage malignant tumours buried deep inside.

"If we hadn’t had the surgery, we could be dead by now," said Kitty Elliott, who had her operation in the same week as her two sisters at Stanford University after a last high-calorie splurge at Thanksgiving in 2004.

Dr David Huntsman of British Columbia University, who detected the rogue gene in the family, said: "Rather than live in fear, they tackled their genetic destiny head-on.

"When they got an opportunity to do something about it, they all supported each other. they’re all going to live to be grandparents."

Last month the 11 family members were re-united for a celebratory trip to Las Vegas after the last of them, Bill Bradfield, had recovered from his surgery in March. "We’re all going to die of something," he said, "but I know I won’t die of stomach cancer."

He had hesitated longer than the others because he feared the surgery would leave him without enough energy for his job as a mechanic. But, after watching the rest of his family slowly put their lives back together, he went ahead with the three-hour operation.

Although they can still digest food through the small intestine, without a stomach patients typically lose large amounts of weight and must eat smaller meals, more often.

Bread, salads, ice cream and vegetables are particularly hard to digest.

"I was in bed nine hours on Christmas Day for eating three Brussels sprouts," said Mrs Elliott.

But the upside has been easy - and dramatic - dieting. Mrs Elliott is now down to a size 2 (size six UK). "My stomach never growls," she said. Her sister, Connie Gasaway, was obese before surgery, but has since lost 156 pounds.

A third sister, Diane Sindt, described how a meal out is now one steak divided between them. "We’re cheap dates, it’s a new normal," she said. "If you eat too fast, you throw up."

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating