Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, affects many individuals and is the fourth most common cancer worldwide.If diagnosed in its early stages it can be successfully treated. In many cases this cancer is diagnosed at very late stages resulting in poor survival rates.
Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer refers to cancer arising from any part of the stomach.
This cancer is very common in Japan, but does occur in many other countries including Anguilla. It can occur in both men and women but is much more common in men. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer.
How do you know if you have stomach cancer?
Very often in its early stages, stomach cancer has very few symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are often vague and not very specific. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include the following:
• Fatigue
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Feeling full after eating little
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
In the more advanced stages of stomach cancer the following symptoms might also occur:
• Blood in the stool
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• Ascites (build-up of fluid in the abdomen)
• Trouble swallowing
These signs and symptoms might occur in other diseases; therefore if you have them you should see your doctor for a complete evaluation. Unlike cancer of the cervix, there is no cost effective screening test for cancer of the stomach.
What causes stomach cancer?
Doctors are not sure what causes stomach cancer. There is a strong correlation between a diet high in smoked, salted and pickled foods and stomach cancer.
In general, cancer begins when an error (mutation) occurs in a cell’s DNA. The mutation causes the cell to grow and divide at a rapid rate and to continue living when normal cells would die. The accumulating cancerous cells form a tumour that can invade nearby structures. Cancer cells can break off from the tumour to spread throughout the body.
Risk factors for getting stomach cancer
Stomach cancer can occur in anyone, but some individuals have more risk factors than others for developing it.
Factors that increase your risk of stomach cancer include:
• A diet high in salty and smoked foods
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Eating foods contaminated with aflatoxin fungus
• Family history of stomach cancer
• Infection with Helicobacter pylori
• Long-term stomach inflammation (chronic gastritis)
• Pernicious anemia
• Smoking
• Stomach polyps
You can develop cancer of the stomach even if you do not have any of the above risk factors.
Diagnosis
After taking a complete history and a complete physical examination your doctor might still be unable to diagnose stomach cancer. A special investigation called upper endoscopy (a thin tube containing a tiny camera is passed down your throat and into your stomach) is often used to help in diagnosing stomach cancer. Often a small piece of tissue (biopsy) is taken and sent for analysis so that the diagnosis can be confirmed. In some cases other tests are needed. Other imaging tests used to look for stomach cancer include computerized tomography (CT) and a special type of X-ray exam sometimes called a barium swallow.
Treatment
If you have stomach cancer, your treatment options will depend on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your preferences. Options include surgery, radiation therapy (this involves using high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. Various combinations of these treatment options might be used.
When stomach cancer is found very early there is a better chance of recovery. Unfortunately, many cases of stomach cancer are often diagnosed in an advanced stage. At later stages, gastric cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured.
Can you prevent stomach cancer?
As we are still not sure what exactly causes stomach cancer we cannot be sure how to prevent it. We do know that a number of steps can help reduce your chances of getting this cancer. I would recommend the following to help prevent stomach cancer:
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Choose a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce the amount of salty and smoked foods you eat.Instead of using large amounts of salt, use various herbs and seasonings.
• Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. If you do not smoke, don’t start. Smoking increases your risk of stomach cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. Quitting smoking can be very difficult, so ask your doctor for help.
• Ask your doctor about your risk of stomach cancer. Some medical conditions, such as anemia, gastritis and stomach polyps increase your risk of stomach cancer. If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, ask your doctor how this affects your stomach cancer risk.
Conclusion
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is cancer that starts in the stomach. It tends to occur more frequently in men. There are several risk factors for this cancer, the main one being smoking. In the early stages there are very few specific symptoms for this cancer and this might explain why so many cases are diagnosed in the late or advanced stages when a cure is often difficult to achieve. If you have non-specific symptoms suggestive of stomach cancer please see your doctor for further evaluation.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
