Stomach cancer – how to prevent it and what to know?

Gastric cancer can appear anywhere in the stomach, but in most cases it is located in its main body. Many cases also involve neoplasms nested at the point where the stomach meets the esophagus. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, in global terms, gastric cancer accounts for 7.8% of all cancer cases.

What causes stomach cancer?

The direct causes of stomach cancer are unknown, but extensive research has identified many factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. Stomach cancer risk factors include:

• reflux disease;
• overweight and obesity;
• a diet rich in salty and smoked foods;
• a diet low in vegetables and fruits;
• the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, responsible for the development of ulcers;
• long-term gastritis;
• smoking;
• polyps.

We talk about neoplastic changes when undesirable changes appear in the DNA structure. Originally the DNA consists of instructions that tell the cell how to develop and what function it should perform. Changes in its structure mean that the cell begins to develop at an accelerated rate and does not die when a healthy cell would already die. In this way cancer cells accumulate and later can move to other parts of the body, thereby causing metastasis.

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

Symptoms include:

• difficulty swallowing;
• feeling bloated after eating;
• feeling full after eating small amounts of food;
• heartburn and indigestion;
• nausea and vomiting;
• abdominal pain;
• weight loss.

It is worth making an appointment with the doctor as soon as you notice any disturbing signs.

Gastric cancer diagnosis

Mainly 3 types of tests are used to make a diagnosis:

• Endoscopy. This test involves placing a small camera into the stomach on the end of a thin tube that is slowly inserted through the esophagus.
• Biopsy. If disturbing changes are found during endoscopy, your doctor may take a small piece of tissue to check for cancerous cells.
• Imaging tests. The most common type of imaging examination is computed tomography. Another way to obtain an image is to use contrast x-rays, where the patient swallows barium sulphide, which appears in the image.

Is stomach cancer curable?
According to a study by the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for non-metastatic gastric cancer is 70%. However, in the case of metastases to tissues close to the stomach or to the lymph nodes, it is 32%. In patients with metastases to organs located elsewhere in the body, the ratio is 6%.

How can I prevent the development of stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer prevention includes:

• maintaining a healthy weight;
• a wholesome balanced diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables;
• reduction of the consumption of salted and smoked products;
• not smoking.

Taking care of these aspects of life allows you to eliminate some of the factors that increase the risk. As a person burdened with additional ailments, such as chronic gastritis, you should especially take care of regular checkups that will allow for early detection of stomach cancer. Prevention and constant monitoring of the health condition make it possible to detect changes in the initial phase, and thus increase the chances of a quick recovery.