Stomach cancer used to be common in the U.S. In fact, it was America’s leading cause of cancer death for much of the early 20th century. Now, though? It’s only about1.5% of all new cancer diagnosesin the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
That’s a good thing, right? Well, mostly.
Since stomach cancer is rare in the U.S., stomach cancer screenings arenot recommended for people of average risk. Thus, early detection is rare, meaning that stomach cancer is often not found until it’s advanced stages. Because of this, it’s important to know the early warning signs, and how they may differ from more common stomach problems.
We spoke about stomach cancer withMadappa Kundranda, MD-PhD, director of the gastrointestinal cancer program atBanner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Banner Gateway Medical Centerin Gilbert, AZ. He told us the symptoms to look for, the risk factors at play, and the best preventive steps you can take.
Stomach cancer symptoms
Another reason that stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, goes undiagnosed is that its earliest symptoms — bloating, heartburn, nausea, general discomfort — aren’t specific to the disease. Since people feel these common symptoms all the time, they oftentimes brush them off as no big deal. However, there are some other more specific stomach cancerwarning signsthat could tip you off:
- Abdominal pain
- Unexpected weight loss and decreased appetite
- Extreme fatigue
- Bloody or black stools
- Recurring, out-of-the-ordinary diarrhea or constipation
- Gastrointestinal symptoms you’ve never experienced, like reflux
- Vomiting
- 吃少量的丰满的感觉food
- Yellow skin and eyes
A lot of these symptoms come from other internal problems that stomach cancer has intensified. When any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks or increase over time it’s important to talk with your doctor. They may be related to stomach cancer, and not just generalstomach pain, Dr. Kundranda said.
Risk factors
One of the most common risk factors for stomach cancer is a bacterial infection calledhelicobacter pylori,也被称为幽门螺旋杆菌。在美国,这个infection is more common among older adults, people of Black/African American or Hispanic decent and people with lower incomes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).30 to 40% of people in the U.S. get H. pylori, but most often it goes undetected because it does not usually cause symptoms or illness.
Age and gender can also increase your risk of developing the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than60% of people diagnosed each yearare at least 65 years old and the majority of those patients are male.
Dr. Kundranda pointed out some other risk factors, such as obesity, eatingprocessed meats, heavy consumption of alcohol and tobacco, exposure to chemicals,ethnicity and geography, previous stomach surgery,certain medical conditionsand a family history of stomach cancer. If you identify with any of these risk factors and are experiencing symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your doctor.
Diagnosis and prevention
According to Dr. Kundranda, the “gold standard” for stomach cancer detection is anendoscopywith biopsies. When you get an endoscopy, a narrow, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end is sent down your throat and into your stomach to see if anything is wrong.
Practicing a healthy lifestyle is your best bet when it comes toprevention. Dr. Kundranda recommends a diet high in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise and maintaining a normalbody mass index(BMI) as important ways to reduce your risk.
Tolearn more about stomach cancerorvwin.comac德赢官方首页 with a Banner Health specialist, visit bannerhealth.com.
You may also be interested in these other articles written with help from Banner Health experts:
- GIST: Are You at Risk for These Rare Digestive System Tumors?
- 9 Possible Causes for Stomach Pain and How to Treat Them
- Heartburn, Acid Reflux and GERD: When Should You Worry?
