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What is stomach cancer? -

Stomach cancer is a cancer that develops from the lining of the stomach.

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Symptoms of stomach cancer -

Early symptoms of stomach cancer may include heartburn, or acid reflux.

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Problems swallowing -

Another early indicator is trouble with swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia.

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Feeling or being sick -

Feeling or being sick is a common complaint. But it can also indicate something more serious. Nausea is another possible early symptom of stomach cancer. Vomiting blood is a real red flag.

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Indigestion -

Regular indigestion, burping a lot, and feeling full after eating only a small meal are all potential signs that something is wrong.

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Loss of appetite -

Early symptoms of stomach cancer can extend to a loss of appetite, or losing weight without trying to.

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Tummy pain -

Discomfort or pain in the top half of the stomach region can indicate the onset of stomach cancer. A lump at the tip of your tummy should always be investigated.

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Feeling tired -

Feeling tired or weak, or having no energy—perhaps as a result of having too few red blood cells (anemia)—is a telltale sign that something is up. Many of these symptoms are indicative of other disorders, such as a viral infection or an ulcer. But it's essential to be checked by a doctor if your symptoms change, get worse, or don't feel right to you.

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Who's at risk? -

While anyone can get stomach cancer, you're more likely to develop the disease if you are over the age of 50 and male. According to a study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, this discrepancy is rooted in basic biological differences between men and women.

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Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) -

Long-term infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can increase your chances of developing stomach cancer.

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Chronic stomach conditions -

Seemingly unrelated stomach conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease can promote the onset of stomach cancer.

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Gastritis -

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed after it's been damaged. Left unchecked, the condition can also be a factor in the development of the cancer.

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Cancer can run in the family -

If you have a brother, sister, or parent who had stomach cancer, the risk of developing the disease yourself increases.

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How to reduce the risks -

Stomach cancer cannot always be prevented. But there are measures you can take to reduce your risk of diagnosis. If you're a smoker, the obvious healthy change is to quit the habit.

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Lose weight -

Shed the kilos, lose the pounds. Dropping weight is a win-win way to deter the onset of numerous medical conditions, including cancer.

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Reduce your intake of salt -

Salt can increase risk for cancer, specifically stomach cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), high salt intake can damage the lining of the stomach. So, cut down on the sodium chloride!

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Cut down on the booze -

Reducing your alcohol intake can help prevent all sorts of cancers. In fact, alcohol use is one of the most important preventable risk factors for cancer, along with tobacco use and excess body weight.

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Fresh fruit and vegetables -

Eating at least five portions of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day is a healthy habit to adopt, and your stomach will be better for it.

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Red meats -

Lower your intake of red and processed meat, beef and lamb for example, together with ham, bacon, and salami.

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Tests for stomach cancer - You'll likely be referred to a gastroenterologist who'll perform a test called a gastroscopy (a type of endoscopy). It looks for any problems in your stomach, including cancer.

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Biopsy -

A small camera in the endoscope will spy any irregularities. If an abnormal area is identified, a biopsy will be performed where a small sample of cells are collected for analysis under laboratory conditions.

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Testing positive for cancer -

Catching any cancer early often allows for more treatment options. But being told you have the disease can be distressful and overwhelming. Doctors will carry out further exams and tests to determine if it has spread, and, if so, how far. This process is called staging.

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Ultrasound scan -

You may need an ultrasound scan of the stomach. This helps doctors determine how far the cancer has spread into the stomach, and whether other organs are affected.

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Treatment options -

If you've been diagnosed with stomach cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. Stomach cancer is often treatable, but it can be a difficult process.

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Chemotherapy -

Treatment usually includes surgery and chemotherapy. Targeted drug therapy may also be employed when standard chemo medicines don't work.

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Immunotherapy -

Immunotherapy is another option in the fight against stomach cancer. It involves the use of medicines to help a person's own immune system find and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

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Radiotherapy -

Radiotherapy can be combined with chemotherapy to help stop the cancer returning. This type of treatment is also used to help  control and improve the symptoms for advanced cancer.

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Survival rates -

Ultimately, treatment choices are based on the extent of the cancer. According to Cancer.Net—and referencing the five-year US survival rate, which tells you what percent of people live at least five years after the cancer is found—if the cancer is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the stomach, the five-year survival rate is 70%. If it has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the rate is 32%. And if the cancer has spread to a distant part of the body (metastatic cancer), the five-year survival rate is 6%. Approximately 36% of people are diagnosed at this late stage.

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Stomach cancer -

It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for people with stomach cancer are an estimate. A patient's lifestyle and overall health, for example, can prolong their survival rate. And survival rates for both men and women vary by the age of diagnosis, with research finding that the older your age, the lower your chances of five-year survival.

Sources: (Cancer Statistics Center) (The Lancet) (MIT News) (Cancer Research UK) (AICR) (International Journal of Cancer) (American Cancer Society) (Cancer.Net) 

See also: Why is early-onset cancer affecting more young people?

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