Every individual has felt uneasy in the stomach or indigestion at one point or the other in
their lifetime but going through a prolonged period of chronic sickness such as stomach
cancer can be dangerous as well as deadly.
However, having a brief understanding of the subject can pose a great factor in taking
preventive measures. Bansal Hospital’s credible and proficient doctor and consultant,
Atul Kumar Samaiya briefly explains the causes and symptoms of stomach cancer.
November is marked as the month to spread awareness of the severity of stomach cancer.
This blog aims for the same to provide its readers with a brief understanding of the matter.
What is Gastric cancer?
Dr. Atul Samaiya briefly explains Gastric cancer incidents have lowered and the patients who
do visit the hospital are already in an advanced phase, therefore it is necessary to spread
awareness about stated cancer.
Gastric cancer means cancer of the stomach. The stomach is the part that joints the
esophagus to the small intestine which is in the form of a bag. It stores food in a storage
capacity and releases it through the small intestine. Apart from this, With the help of
enzymes digestion takes place and with the help of stomach acid bacteria and germs are killed.
When the functioning of the stomach gets disturbed, it increases the threat of stomach cancer.
It also means the growth of cancerous cells in the lining of the stomach as a result of genetic
changes in the cell.
Why do gastric cancer risks rise?
As per Dr. Samaiya, the gastric cancer risk may rise for people who are:
- Obesity
- Have continuous gastritis
- Eating food high in fat
- Eating processed, ready-to-eat meals.
- Heavy drinking
- Heavy smoking
The symptoms of Gastric cancer may include-
- Bloating
- Nausea & vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Losing weight without trying
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of meal
- Not feeling hungry often
- Pain in the belly
- Stools that look black
- Feeling tired often
Further Dr. Samaiya states, when this disease reaches the advanced phases, people
start having these symptoms, and this is when the doctors suggest endoscopy.
Most people show these symptoms, out of which only 10% are likely to have cancer
but still, the diagnosis is necessary. Endoscopy also identifies other kinds of gastric
diseases as well.
The Treatment of Gastric Cancer
The gastric cancer can be treated with the help of new technological advancements,
usually, there are two options, chemotherapy and surgery. At starting stages of cancer,
the treatment is directly done by operation, at advanced stages, chemotherapy is suggested.
Stomach cancer is treatable but mostly in the case if it is found at the starting stage.
Most people believe that they cannot have cancer and thus, refrain from getting a
diagnosis but understanding the symptoms and what causes it can help in identifying
such dangerous diseases prior to them being untreatable.