Stomach cancer develops gradually over time. The American Cancer Society discusses how stomach cancer starts off in the inner layer of the stomach, the mucosa. It forms a tumor and spreads its away around to the submucosa, and the sub serosa. This helps determine the stage of cancer it is.
With stomach cancer, it can be hard to detect. It also has a variety of symptoms. Sometimes you wouldn’t even connect your symptom to stomach cancer. So, what are the signs of stomach cancer and what can we do to avoid it?
Upset stomach
An upset stomach can be a symptom of stomach cancer. The fitness website Active Beat says if you are experiencing an upset stomach for a long period time, it is something that should be checked out with a doctor.
Abdominal pain
The medical resource site Very Well Health says abdominal pain can be a symptom of stomach cancer. It tends to range from minor to severe pain in the upper abdomen. However, abdominal pain can be a source of other issues as well such as liver cancer or gallbladder cancer. If your abdomen is in pain it should be checked with a doctor.
Blood in stool
Very Well Health emphasizes if there is blood in stool, the color helps confirm the origin of where the blood is coming from. Red blood usually isn’t of much concern. However, blood that comes from higher up in the digestive tract is usually black and much more serious.
Fatigue
Very Well Health discusses how fatigue can also be a symptom of stomach cancer, as well as anemia. This form of fatigue is much more gradual and doesn’t have an easy fix. Over the span of a few months, your energy level would deplete, and you will feel much more tired in comparison to early on.
Losing weight
Weight loss is good if you are on a diet, however if you are inadvertently losing weight, that can be a sign of stomach cancer. Very Well Health states that if you are losing five percent of your normal body weight in the span of six months there is a health concern. If you aren’t dieting and losing weight quickly it could be a number of medical issues including stomach cancer.
There are a variety of different symptoms for stomach cancer that could also be tied to other illnesses. It is important to check with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Sources:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/stomach-cancer-symptoms-514427
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/about/what-is-stomach-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
https://www.activebeat.com/
