Al-Marsad Newspaper: Stomach cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer worldwide, especially among older males.
This fatal condition is partly due to the absence of symptoms in the early stages, when treatment is most effective. In addition, the warning signs are largely nonspecific, which makes it difficult to identify the disease. However, identifying them early could be life-saving, according to The Express.
Stomach cancer is often asymptomatic in its advanced stages when the disease has a poor prognosis.
However, small physical changes may occur at first, including pain and discomfort.
Pain is a common condition among cancer patients, but the pain that characterizes stomach cancer has specific characteristics.
In stomach cancer, it tends to hurt particularly after eating and drinking and in certain parts of the body.
“The initial symptoms of stomach cancer are nonspecific and often consist of indigestion suggestive of a peptic ulcer,” explains MSD Manuals. The term indigestion describes discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen after eating or drinking. It is a common symptom, characterized by bloating, discomfort, a feeling of fullness, nausea, and gas.
In stomach cancer, indigestion is likely to be evident after eating only a small meal.
Later, after eating a small amount of food, early satiety and fullness may occur. Early satiety can later lead to weight loss or strength.
The British National Organization for Rare Disorders states that stomach cancer is a slow-growing disease that usually develops over a year or more.
“Signs and symptoms can vary greatly from person to person,” he adds.
These factors largely depend on the location and extent of the tumors, as well as the specific organs affected.
Despite the prevalence of stomach cancer, researchers aren’t sure what causes the disease.
However, it is clear that it occurs when something damages the inner lining of the stomach.
Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, body weight, physical activity, and alcohol consumption, can contribute to this damage.
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