ISLAMABAD: Stomach cancer may not cause clear symptoms in its early stages. Some of its warning signs can look like ordinary stomach problems, so people may ignore them.
According to health experts, common symptoms include indigestion, heartburn, nausea, loss of appetite, feeling full after eating a little food, bloating and stomach pain. Unexplained weight loss can also be a warning sign. Health experts advise people to pay attention to persistent changes in digestion, appetite and body weight.
Possible symptoms include repeated indigestion, heartburn that does not improve with usual medication, ongoing nausea, reduced appetite and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food. Frequent bloating after meals and unexplained discomfort in the upper abdomen may also be signs of the disease. Persistent indigestion: Repeated indigestion that does not improve may require medical attention, particularly when it continues for several weeks.
Ongoing heartburn: Heartburn that continues despite usual treatment should not be ignored, especially if it occurs alongside other digestive problems. Persistent nausea: Repeated feelings of nausea without an obvious cause may be another possible warning sign. Reduced appetite: Losing interest in food or eating less than usual may occur in people with stomach cancer.
Feeling full quickly: Becoming full after eating only a small amount of food can be a symptom that needs medical assessment if it continues. Bloating after meals: Frequent abdominal bloating after eating may be linked to several digestive conditions, including stomach cancer. Upper abdominal discomfort: Persistent or unexplained discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen may require further investigation.
Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without making changes to diet or physical activity can be a concerning sign and should be checked by a doctor. These symptoms do not necessarily indicate stomach cancer, as they can also occur because of other health conditions. As stomach cancer progresses, symptoms may include persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, unusual tiredness caused by anaemia and difficulty swallowing.
In some cases, patients may vomit blood. Advanced disease can also cause fluid to build up in the abdomen or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. People should seek medical advice if symptoms persist for several weeks, become worse or interfere with daily activities. Unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, repeated early fullness and ongoing abdominal discomfort should not be ignored.
Vomiting blood requires urgent medical attention. Although these symptoms do not confirm cancer, a medical assessment can help identify their cause and determine whether further tests are needed. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, around 968,784 new cases of stomach cancer and 660,175 deaths from the disease were recorded worldwide in 2022. Stomach cancer ranked as the world’s fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths that year.
Read also: Bad Weather Alert: Rain, Thunderstorms Forecast in KP
