There are numerous types of cancer, but out of these, the most common cancer known to humanity is stomach cancer. Noticing the signs of stomach cancer in its early stages is difficult. These symptoms are almost non-existent and are highly likely to be diagnosed with a different condition when they appear. For such reasons, in many cases, stomach cancer gets detected in late stages. As a result, it makes the treatment fairly difficult.
Due to the negligence of these early symptoms, stomach cancer’s survival rate is much lower than other cancers. Stomach cancer doesn’t affect men and women in the same way. In this blog, we will understand the meaning of stomach cancer, its symptoms & causes, treatment methods, and much more. Let’s start by understanding the meaning of stomach cancer.
Understanding Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, commonly called gastric cancer, develops inside an individual when their normal healthy cells are interchanged with the growing cancer cells in the stomach lining. You can spot the stomach below the esophagus (the tube which facilitates the food movement to the intestines after swallowing). As a part of the digestive tract, the stomach assists in food digestion and moving nutrients via the gut to the small intestine.
The growth of this specific cancer is fairly slow, and it takes years to develop completely. The initial growth of stomach cancer commonly starts when the once healthy cells begin growing rapidly in the mucosa of the stomach lining. Group formed by these cancerous cells is referred to as a tumor. These cells start spreading to the other layers of the stomach.
The Early Signs Of Stomach Cancer (Symptoms)
The early signs of stomach cancer are often unclear. And out of all the symptoms, the common stomach cancer signs include indigestion, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, and changes in appetite.
The stage 1 stomach cancer symptoms include:
- Appetite change
- Nausea
- Development of swelling in the abdomen
- Vomiting ( with/without blood)
- Heartburn
- Discomfort in Abdominal
- Feeling of fullness upon small consumption of food
- Indigestion
- Weight loss.
These are the most common stomach cancer symptoms in stage 1, and in case they look familiar to you, it is suggested that you consult a health professional immediately.
Causes Of Stomach Cancer
The causes of stomach cancer are still under research, and there is no clear explanation. However, research has found various factors that can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
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Various factors responsible for the increased risk of stomach cancer are:
- Obesity
- A diet full of salt and smoked foods
- reflux problems
- Low consumption of food and vegetables
- Gastritis
- Stomach polyps
- Smoking
- Family history regarding stomach cancer.
Does Stomach Cancer Affect Genders Differently?
Professionals recommend noticing the signs of stomach cancer in people above 55. Stomach cancer generally occurs among individuals who age over 60s or 70s. Women are generally less prone to develop stomach cancer compared to men. Although stomach cancer is rare among women, they must be familiar with its risks and early signs.
Female Stomach Cancer Symptoms
Regarding the stomach cancer symptoms in females, you should know that just like men, noticing the early signs of stomach cancer in females is difficult too. The symptoms of stomach cancer in females are similar to that of men. But don’t forget that these symptoms can get diagnosed as other causes, and both men and women can miss these early signs for various reasons.
The common signs of stomach cancer in females include:
- Appetite loss
- Unintentional weight loss
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating and feeling of fullness
- Facing difficulties while swallowing food
- Chronic belching
- Heartburn
- Indigestion.
Many of these symptoms mentioned above are common in other conditions as well. As these causes are not that harmful, people tend to ignore them in the early stages. But suppose you are facing multiple of these symptoms. In that case, we recommend not to ignore them and consult a professional immediately before your conditions worsen.
Risk Factors Regarding Stomach Cancer In Females
The early signs of stomach cancer are vague. There are high chances that stomach cancer gets unnoticed until it reaches the later stages. In later stages, the treatment of this condition becomes way more difficult. For such a reason, knowing the risk factor surrounding stomach cancer becomes crucial.
Factors responsible for increasing the risk of stomach cancer development among women include:
- Family history and Genetics: The chances of the development of stomach cancer increase if there is any family member who has developed this same condition in the past. Genetics can also play a role in the development of this condition. However, these factors are less commonly responsible for most stomach cancer cases.
- Age: The occurrence of stomach cancer is much more common for people aged over 50. However, the maximum number of cases for this condition comes from people above the age of 60s, 70s, and 80s. Not to forget, stomach cancer often gets noticed in later stages. For that reason, screening is crucial for early detection and increasing the chances of survival.
- Ethnicity and location: The cases of stomach cancer are much more common in South and Central America, Eastern Europe, and East Asia compared to Africa or North America.
- H. pylori infection: People who have previously experienced Helicobacter pylori infection are more prone to developing stomach cancer.
Other Factors
The factors mentioned above are somewhat out of a person’s control. Still, there are some factors that a person can control to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Such factors include:
- Diet: People that consume diets containing high salted fish or meat, smoked or cooked food over charcoal, and pickled vegetables are generally at a higher risk of developing stomach cancer. Eating a balanced diet containing low-salted, pickled, and smoked foods is essential to reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
- Tobacco & alcohol: The chances for the development of stomach cancer increase among people who smoke and drink regularly. To reduce this risk, you must limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking.
- Obesity: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight is crucial for individuals as obesity can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Treatment Methods For Stomach Cancer
Treatment methods for stomach cancer can vary based on the cancer type and its location inside the body. At University Cancer Centers, we offer various treatment methods to cure stomach cancer. The treatment options for stomach cancer include:
- Radiation: In the treatment method, the professional uses high-energy X-rays to destroy the cancer cell. The usage of a machine generally does it outside of the body.
- Surgery: In this treatment method, a surgeon removes the tumor from the patient’s body with some surrounding healthy tissues to determine the disease extent.
- Chemotherapy: In this type of treatment, experts use one or more drugs to prevent the growth of cancer cells, which destroys cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: This treatment targets the genes, proteins, and tissue responsible for cancerous cell growth and survival. Targeted therapy helps in minimizing the damage to cells that are healthy and prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Final Words On Signs Of Stomach Cancer
Noticing the signs of stomach cancer in earlier stages is crucial. Stomach cancer is considered fatal if not noticed in the early stages. If you feel any symptoms that are a sign of stomach cancer, immediately consult your doctor. The treatment process becomes much easier if it gets diagnosed in earlier stages.
Are you searching for the best treatment for stomach cancer? Various treatments can help cure stomach cancer, and University Cancer Centers is proficient in all those. We have the best team of professionals at our cancer center that can provide you with diagnoses and treatments for stomach cancer. Contact us if you require our assistance in the treatment process.
