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Stomach Cancer: Silent Symptoms and Risk Factors

By Dr. Atul Sharma in Medical Oncology , Cancer Care / Oncology

Nov 20 , 2024 | 1 min read

Gastric cancer is also known as stomach cancer. It's often referred to as a silent cancer because it cannot be diagnosed in an early stage, which makes it among the most deadly forms of cancer around the globe. The delay is due to the subtle symptoms of stomach cancer and a lack of awareness regarding the risk factors.

Early stomach cancer symptoms can be mild and easily confused with common digestive problems. In the early stages of stomach cancer, people may have mild symptoms like indigestion or bloating. They can also experience occasional nausea and mild pain in their stomach. Many people ignore these symptoms because they seem to be manageable. This allows the disease to progress without being noticed.

The anatomical position of the stomach is another factor contributing to late diagnosis. A stomach tumour can develop rapidly before it causes symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain, nausea, and difficulty swallowing. When these signs of more serious cancer appear, the cancer usually spreads to other organs and lymph nodes in the area, making treatment difficult.

The environment and lifestyle factors can also affect the risk of stomach cancer. Risk factors include excessive alcohol, excessive smoking and high salt intake. Infection through Helicobacter pylori, which is a common bacteria that lives in the stomach's inner lining, can increase your risk for gastric cancer. However, it often goes untreated.

Early detection and screening are still limited. There is no standard protocol to screen for stomach cancer. This differs from other types of cancer, such as colon or breast cancer. Only those at high risk, like people with chronic gastritis or a history of the disease, should consider regular screenings.

It is important to raise awareness and encourage people to understand the risks associated with stomach carcinoma. Identifying persistent digestive problems can improve the likelihood of an early diagnosis. Awareness and screening are the keys to the battle against stomach cancer.