Unfortunately, around 24,000 cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed yearly in the USA solely. The problem with this cancer is that the symptoms don’t appear up until the disease has already spread to other organs. In the advanced stage, this cancer cannot be cured. When diagnosed in the early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 90%, whereas in the late stage, it’s only 3%.
How to prevent stomach cancer?
One of the best methods for early detection is recognizing the warning signs. According to the American Cancer Society, these are the most common symptoms of stomach cancer:
Heartburn
Indigestion
Abdominal ache and discomfort
Vomiting and nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating after meals
Reduced appetite
Tiredness
Bleeding (blood in the stool or vomiting blood)
These are the contributing factors to stomach cancer:
Age over 55
Males are 2/3 more prone to stomach cancer than women
A diet rich in smoked, dried, salted, and pickled foods
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Smoking
Previous stomach surgery
A family history of stomach cancer
Presence of Helicobacter pylori
Important to note:
If you experience any of the following signs, make sure you consult your physician as soon as possible. You may be referred to a gastroenterologist for further tests.
