Stomach cancer affects countless people around the world. The symptoms of the disease are often confused with those of other stomach disorders, leading to subjectivity. Cancer is often identified in its later stages, making treatment and care difficult. Below are seven indicators of stomach cancer that no one should overlook.
1. Signs of Advanced Stomach Cancer
The disease progresses through four stages, each with its own symptoms and appearances. Below are the seven most immediately recognizable indicators of advanced stomach cancer:
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal discomfort is a common symptom in various stomach-related medical conditions, including cancer. However, when a malignant tumor forms in the stomach, abdominal pain often manifests in unique ways. The pain is typically severe and frequent. The discomfort usually occurs in the epigastric region, especially when hungry or after meals, and does not go away even with pain relievers.
Lack of appetite and fear of eating.
Stomach cancer has a devastating effect on the digestive tract. Patients experience difficulty eating due to dry mouth and nausea, and food is difficult to digest regularly, resulting in loss of appetite. The use of medications with side effects exacerbates the feeling of loss of appetite.
Nausea and vomiting.
Nausea is one of the seven early signs of stomach cancer, but it is often overlooked because symptoms are few and infrequent in the early stages. As the disease progresses, nausea and vomiting worsen due to the pressure of the tumor on the stomach, causing bloating and reflux. In addition, cancer treatment medications can cause nausea and vomiting.
Constipation and diarrhea.
The development of stomach cancer causes digestive difficulties and poor digestive function. This is the cause of constipation in people with stomach cancer. In addition, intestinal bacterial diseases can cause diarrhea. These are two typical symptoms that cause fatigue and prolonged loss of appetite.
Black stools.
Black stools are one of the seven visible indicators of advanced stomach cancer. The cause is the rupture of some blood vessels in the tumor or ulcerated tumor lesions in the stomach, causing bleeding.
Rapid weight loss.
Most cancer patients experience rapid weight loss. Stomach cancer is one of the diseases that causes the most rapid weight loss because it affects the digestive tract. Cancer impairs the stomach’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.
Pale skin with anemia.
Frequent gastrointestinal bleeding causes rapid blood loss, resulting in pale skin and a lack of vitality. Furthermore, due to the direct impact on the digestive tract, poor eating habits and the ability to absorb nutrients are affected, causing the patient to constantly feel tired, thin, and pale.
2. Early signs of stomach cancer.
Most malignant tumors present vague initial signs. Cancer cells can only be detected through examinations and tests. Therefore, by the time most cancer patients are diagnosed, they are already in the final stages of the disease. In the case of stomach cancer, unusual warning symptoms may include:
Frequent bloating, a feeling of fullness, malaise, nausea, and heartburn.
Unexplained weight loss.
Anorexia, epigastric discomfort, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Difficulty swallowing and a feeling of something stuck in the throat.
If unusual symptoms occur, the patient should consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will perform examinations, gastric endoscopies, tests, and biopsies to determine the source of the disease. From there, the cancer can be detected early and treated appropriately.
Stomach cancer is a silent but very aggressive form of cancer that can go undetected until it reaches an advanced stage. Most patients ignore initial symptoms, such as mild indigestion or nausea, attributing them to everyday digestive problems. Therefore, diagnosis often occurs late, when treatment options are limited and the prognosis is less favorable. Public awareness and education about the warning signs that should never be ignored are vitally important. Prevention begins with adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Furthermore, people with a family history of stomach cancer or chronic gastric problems should undergo regular medical checkups and endoscopic tests. Early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. Modern diagnostic tools and advances in treatment offer hope, provided timely action is taken. While the course of the disease can be difficult, with the right support, care, and access to information, patients can maintain their quality of life and fight with dignity. Responsibility for our health begins with us, and knowledge is the first step toward prevention.
