Having the occasional stomach ache and bloating usually isn’t an issue. Everyone has experienced them on occasion. But when symptoms continue extensively over a long period, it’s important to take action and maybe even contact your doctor. Here are some signs of stomach cancer to help you spot it early on.
Early Signs of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer cases are very infrequent. However, it still affects over 20,000 Americans each year. The issue with stomach cancer is that it can be hard to recognize. Symptoms usually don’t cause much alarm. Especially because they tend to manifest as symptoms of less serious ailments. Another limiting factor is the absence of routine screening.
Some of the symptoms of stomach cancer include abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, lack of appetite, feeling full after eating little food, and heartburn or indigestion. Some of the more alarming symptoms may include nausea, vomiting (sometimes blood), abdomen swelling, and dark stool (due to blood being digested.)
If you do have these symptoms, do not attempt to diagnose yourself. Many of these symptoms can stem from other health issues. It’s important to see a doctor who can give you a professional diagnosis.
How to Reduce the Chance of Stomach Cancer
There are certain ways to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Many simple lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can decrease the chances of developing gastric cancer.
Other risk factors you can control include avoiding high-salt foods in your diet, as well as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Other factors such as genetics, however, can’t be controlled as easily.
If you do have any concerns or come from a family with a history of gastric cancer and other problems, consulting a physician is the most important step you can take.
