What is called stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer refers to a harmful growth in the stomach. This occurs when the growing cells (cells) in the stomach move towards a tumor. Stomach cancer is one of the most common diseases and it can easily spread to other organs. If it is not treated early, this disease can cause death.
In this condition, cancerous cells develop on the lining of the stomach. This cancer is also called gastric cancer, which is difficult to test. Symptoms of this type of cancer are not visible in the early stages.
Stomach cancer is rarer than other cancers, but it can be extremely dangerous and difficult to test for. Because stomach cancer cannot be detected in its early stages, its symptoms may not appear until it has spread to other organs. Due to which the process of its treatment can be more difficult and risky.
Is Stomach Cancer a common disease?
People can get stomach cancer at any age. But most men are more at risk of this disease than women, who are over 40 years of age. The things that are likely to cause this problem can be prevented by controlling them. However, in comparison to other countries of the world, cases of stomach cancer are found less in India. Speak to a doctor or therapist for more information.
What are the Symptoms of Stomach cancer?
People do not see symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages of this disease. As the tumor grows, people feel abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Other symptoms are bloating after eating, difficulty in eating, weight loss, blood in stool, a watery stomach, and feeling full after eating.
Blood in the stool or vomiting
If you have blood coming out of your potty or if you vomit frequently, see a doctor right away. If there is blood in the stool due to stomach cancer, then its color can be maroon or terry black. If there is blood in the vomit, it will look reddish red.
Quick Loss of Appetite
In stomach cancer, appetite begins to disappear quickly. Like when you sat down to eat food, you were hungry, but after eating a bite, your hunger disappears and the food does not feel good. If you feel this again and again, then you need to see a doctor immediately.
Severe abdominal pain
In some cases, abdominal pain can be a sign of cancer. At the same time, it has been seen in most cases that this pain is due to some common disease of the intestine or stomach. The hallmark of pain related to colon cancer is that the pain is persistent. It’s not like you feel pain for a few days and then it doesn’t happen for a week. It is this persistent pain that will compel you to go to the doctor.
Unexplained Weight Loss
There can be many reasons for weight loss. If you are losing weight without dieting, then it needs attention. The weight is gradually reduced. If there is sudden weight loss and you do not pay attention, then the risk can increase. If you seem to be losing weight continuously, then definitely talk to the doctor.
Severe pain in the heart
Chest pain or inability to digest food can be one of the early symptoms of stomach cancer. These signs can also be due to some other illness. It is better to get examined by a doctor than to think anything in your mind.
Bloating, Diarrhea, and Constipation
If colon cancer is early, you may feel bloating. You will also feel difficulty in passing stool. You may have constipation or diarrhea in this. If these symptoms are seen then there may be a disease other than cancer. The doctor can tell you about the disease.
Some of the symptoms and signs are not mentioned above. If you are concerned about any symptoms in your body, see and talk to your doctor immediately.
When should I see my doctor?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, then definitely talk to your doctor. Each body works differently. Discuss with your doctor and decide which suggestion and treatment are right for you.
What are the causes of Stomach Cancer?
The main cause of stomach cancer is an infection called Helicobacter pylori. It is a type of bacteria called H pylori. Doctors are trying to eliminate this bacteria. pylori can cause ulcers in your stomach.
Now doctors diagnose before the symptoms of this bacteria named pylori appear. It is treated by giving antibiotics. Now H pylori infection has become extremely common. Its symptoms can be seen in many people at any time. Due to this infection, the patient becomes lethargic. There is pain after eating food. The weight starts decreasing and there is no appetite.
Apart from H pylori, other factors can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
- Smoking
- Men are more likely to get colon cancer
- The risk of cancer risk increases with age
- Being overweight or obese
- There is a possibility of getting cancer even if you have had stomach surgery for ulcers.
- Some genetic disease
We also need to take care of our food and drink. With changing the way of life we end up eating a lot which can make us sick. So we should eat green vegetables. Fresh fruits should be taken. Do not eat foods like fast food at all as they take a lot of time to digest.
Although the cause of colon cancer in most cases is not known for certain, some things increase the chances of cancer. High amounts of nitrates in the diet can increase this cancer. Nitrates (found in smoked and salty foods) are converted by bacteria into nitrites and these promote cancer. Also, those whose stomach is infected with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori are more likely to get this cancer.
Conditions that can enhance the risk factor of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is directly related to tumors in the stomach. However, several risk factors increase the risk of stomach cancer cells developing. These risk factors also include the following types of diseases –
- H.Pylori Bacterial Infection – A common abdominal infection that can also take the form of ulcers.
- Tumors – Tumors in other parts of the digestive system
- Lymphoma – a group of cancers in the blood
- Abdominal polyps – abnormal growth of tissues
Apart from this, colon cancer is also common in the following circumstances –
- Colon cancer in another family member
- in people aged 50 and over
- smoker
- men
While medical history increases the risk of stomach cancer, certain lifestyle habits can also increase the risk of gastric cancer. Your risk of developing colon cancer may be higher in the following situations –
- a high amount of salty and smoked foods in the diet;
- low intake of fruits and vegetables in the diet;
- eating foods contaminated with aflatoxins;
- having a family history of colon cancer;
- infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria;
- prolonged bloating of the abdomen;
- pernicious anemia
- to smoke;
- having polyps in the stomach
Not doing risky things doesn’t mean you can’t get this cancer. If you feel the symptoms or signs of stomach cancer, then get tested for it immediately. For more information, you need to consult your doctor.