Everything you Need to Know …and More
Essential Information about…Stomach Cancer
What is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer is a rare cancer that’s found in the stomach, the part of the digestive system that you digest food.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
There are many possible symptoms of stomach cancer, but they might be hard to spot, and they can include:
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- Feeling or being sick
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
- Feeling full very quickly when eating
- Loss of appetite
- Losing weight without trying to
- A lump at the top of your tummy
- A pain at the top of your tummy
- Feeling tired or having no energy
If you have another condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, you may get symptoms like these regularly. It’s important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.
Causes of Stomach Cancer
It’s not always clear what causes stomach cancer, however you might be more likely to get it if you:
- Are over the age of 50
- Are are a man
- Have a long-term infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)Â
- Have certain stomach conditions for a long time, such as heartburn, acid reflux, GORD, gastritisÂ
- Have a family member who had stomach cancer
Many stomach cancers are also linked to lifestyle:
- If you smoke
- If you are overweight
- If you drink alcohol
- If you have a poor diet
DiagnosisÂ
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms or notice anything at all which is unusual for you, please get in contact with your GP. Â
You must be clear and concise about what you have been experiencing, for how long, the severity and the impact to your daily life. Â
With this information, your GP can make a clear assessment on what diagnosis to give and tests/treatment you may need.
A GP or specialist will probably refer you for a test to look inside your stomach, an endoscopy.
A gastroscopy can also help find problems in other nearby organs, such as GORD, Barrett’s oesophagus, and Oesophageal Cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for stomach cancer will depend on:
- The type and size of the stomach cancer you have
- Where it is
- If it has spread
- Your general health
It usually includes surgery, if the cancer can be removed, and treatment with targeted medicines such chemotherapy and radiotherapy.