This blog that contains accurate, comprehensive information on Symptoms of Stomach Cancer that you should not ignore.
What is Stomach Cancer ?
Cancer of Stomach, also called Gastric Cancer is one of common cancers we see in Nepal. It is cancer of the stomach which lies in the abdomen. While it is often a very treatable disease if diagnosed early, diagnosis at later stages makes it more difficult to treat effectively.
Did you know that stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world? In 2020, there were 1,089,103 new patients with this disease. That’s a lot of lives affected.
Stomach cancer is generally not detected until it reaches later stages, when it is harder to treat. Stomach cancer has been a leading cause of cancer death for decades, making aggressive efforts to detect stomach cancer early, when treatment can more effective and less aggressive, vital.
Why is this blog necessary ?
Unfortunately in Nepal, for every person who complains about stomach problems, there are 9 others who ignore them because they’re not painful enough or worrisome enough to warrant a visit to their doctor.
According to the cancer registry in Kathmandu, it is the second most common cancer in Males in Kathmandu. One in every 10 cancer patients has stomach cancer.
What are the Symptoms ?
You should not ignore are unexplained weight loss- unexplained weight loss, indigestion, heartburn, and blood in stools are five common complaints of stomach cancer. For example one common symptom is abdominal pain and tenderness that can last a long time. If you think you might have stomach cancer, contact your doctor for an examination immediately. Here are the common 5 explained.
1. Heartburn
Heartburn is feeling of burning pain in upper chest. It is common symptom of many gastro-intestinal disease. But sometimes, persistant heartburn may be a symptom of cancer. Your doctor may do endoscopy, that is put a pipe in your stomach through mouth and see everything is ok.
2. Feeling Full even after small meal
Due to the wound inside the stomach – even when someone eats small amount, they feel full and bloated. This should come as a serious symptom and should see a doctor immediately.
3. Weight Loss
Because of difficulty in swallowing, and full even with small amount of food, people with stomach cancer usually lose weight significantly. If you haven’t been trying to lose weight but still losing weight, you should see a doctor. This could be a symptom of stomach cancer.
4. Weakness
With poor nutrition and small amount of blood lost from the cancer each day, people with stomach cancer feel weak. Unexplained weakness and fatigue with discomfort in the abdomen should raise alarm and should be evaluated by a trained doctor.
5. Nausea/Vomiting
If someone has cancer in his stomach, they feel nauseous and also vomit at times. Rarely they could also vomit blood. If someone has been feeling nauseous and vomiting occasionally with other problems – please go see a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms are not from stomach cancer but from other causes. However it is always better to seek medical advise and be assured
Other factors can increase your risk of developing stomach cancer, too, like:
- Smoking.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
- Age (your risk goes up as you get older).
- Obesity.
- A diet high in smoked foods, salted fish and cured meats.
- A family history.
Tell Me more !
Stomach cancer is a fearsome disease that affects more than 1.2 million people worldwide. Thankfully, the prognosis is much better than it was in the past with more than 60 percent of patients surviving 5 years and many live even longer.
This is one of the most deadly cancers in the world and over time it is increasing in our part of the world. Whether you caught it early or late, these are sure signs of stomach cancer that you should not ignore.
For millions of people around the world, this malignancy presents with stomach discomfort that are easily ignored or mistaken for something less serious. Many patients and their physicians discount their issues as indications of something like a stomach bug or gastritis.
In fact, many people never see a doctor until their illness is advanced. Although it is true that this deadly disease sometimes presents with no symptoms at all, the warning signs mentioned above that should never be ignored.
Early detection of this cancer can mean the difference between living and dying. These five key warning signs have been compiled by oncologists who see cancers to help you identify your own stomach cancer risk factors.
Is treatment possible ?
Yes, if detected early, cancer of stomach is curable. The treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Complete treatment in now possible in comprehensive cancer center in Nepal.
These treatment modalities are selected and combined depending on the patient’s stage of cancer.
