No one wants to think about getting cancer. And yet, it’s important to educate yourself about possible signs and symptoms of different types of cancer so you know when to see a doctor.
This month, in honor of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a spotlight on stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, in hopes that knowledge leads to action and earlier treatment. Here are four things everybody should know about stomach cancer.
1. What is stomach cancer?
Your stomach’s main function is to break down and digest food. When a person has stomach cancer, cells in the stomach grow out of control. According to the American Cancer Society, there are several types of stomach cancer and most develop slowly. Because there may be no symptoms in the early stages, however, a person could have stomach cancer and not know it until it has progressed.
2. Who gets stomach cancer?
Anyone can develop stomach cancer, which is the fifth most common type of cancer globally, but certain groups of people face higher risks. According to the National Cancer Institute, incidences of stomach cancer are more common in places such as East Asia, Eastern Europe, Central America and South America than in the U.S. And within the U.S., stomach cancer is more common among people who are Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native. Further, men are almost twice as likely as women to have stomach cancer, and Black men are nearly twice as likely as white men to die from it.
Certain medical conditions may also increase your risk for stomach cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute those include:
- Chronic atrophic gastritis
- Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia
- Epstein-Barr virus infection
- Pernicious anemia
- Obesity
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
In addition, the risk of a person developing stomach cancer may increase if a first-degree relative has had stomach cancer or other specific health conditions (see those here).
3. What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
In the early stages, stomach cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. Or it could cause minor changes that are easy to dismiss, like indigestion. In the later stages, stomach cancer may cause the following symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in the stomach area
- A bloated feeling after a meal
- Loss of appetite
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Losing weight without trying
- Tiredness
- Black stools
4. Are there actions I can take to lower my risk of developing stomach cancer?
Making healthy lifestyle choices may help to decrease your risk for stomach cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, healthy habits that might help include the following:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can increase your risk for a number of health conditions, including different types of cancer.
- Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you achieve your weight loss/weight maintenance goals and may also decrease your risk for a number of health problems. The American Heart Association says to aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, along with two muscle-strengthening sessions.
- Eat a nutritious diet. Strive to consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and avoid red meat and processed foods. Use MyPlate as a guide on what your plate should look like.
- Limit the alcohol you drink. It’s likely that alcohol increases your risk for stomach cancer. If you can’t eliminate it completely, aim to limit your consumption to one drink a day or less if you’re a woman and two or less if you’re a man, per the U.S. guidelines.
If you experience any changes to your gastrointestinal system — including seemingly minor symptoms, like indigestion — make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Stomach cancer is more treatable when it’s detected early, before it can spread to other parts of the body. Ask questions, discuss risk factors and see what steps you can take to learn more about what’s causing your health concerns, and to address them.
