Stomach cancer is often called a “silent disease” because its early warning signs can easily be mistaken for ordinary digestive issues. Heartburn, bloating, or a little nausea might not set off alarm bells — yet, for some people, these seemingly harmless symptoms are the first clues of something more serious. Knowing the difference could make all the difference when it comes to catching stomach cancer early, while it’s still highly treatable.
Recent research shows that doctors are catching stomach cancer earlier, which means it’s often found at a more treatable stage. This is a big win in the battle against a disease that’s been tough to fight.
Interestingly, stomach cancer is rising among younger people, which is surprising since it’s typically been a cancer seen in older adults. A study that looked at data from the National Cancer Institute found that early-stage diagnoses have jumped by 53% from 2004 to 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of cases where the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs has dropped by 38%, and cases spreading to distant organs decreased by almost 8%.
Dr. Mohamed Tausif Siddiqui, the lead author of the study and a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, credits these improvements to better endoscopic imaging and the more widespread use of upper endoscopies, which help doctors catch cancer earlier. In fact, 2021 marked the first year when early-stage stomach cancer was more common than advanced-stage cancer at the time of diagnosis. This is a huge step forward.
Dr. Siddiqui also pointed out that catching stomach cancer early can lead to less invasive treatments and better outcomes. He shared these findings at Digestive Disease Week, a major international medical conference.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Recognizing Symptoms
Right now, people are only tested for stomach cancer if they have symptoms, a family history, or other risk factors. This is a problem because stomach cancer often develops slowly and doesn’t show clear symptoms in the early stages. By the time symptoms appear, they can be vague and often mistaken for something else, like indigestion or acid reflux.
Dr. Mojun Zhu, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, explained that many younger patients dismiss their symptoms as simple indigestion or reflux, so they don’t seek medical care right away.
Early signs of stomach cancer.
Here are some early signs of stomach cancer to watch out for:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ongoing heartburn or indigestion
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden aversion to certain foods, such as meat
- Sudden intolerance to certain foods, such as fruit, coffee or alcohol
Symptoms that might feel normal.
- Frequent Belching That Doesn’t Go Away. Everyone burps now and then, especially after a big meal or fizzy drink. But if you’re belching constantly — without an obvious reason — it might be linked to stomach irritation or a tumor blocking the digestive tract.
- Persistent Hiccups or Bursts of Reflux. Occasional hiccups are harmless. But hiccups or reflux that keep coming back — no matter what you eat — may be tied to irritation from something more serious happening in the upper digestive tract.
- Swelling in the Upper Abdomen. Many people think bloating after meals is just from gas or eating too fast. But if your upper belly feels swollen or tight on a regular basis, especially with no obvious food trigger, it could point to fluid buildup or a tumor pressing on nearby organs.
Some symptoms as the cancer progresses.
As the cancer progresses, symptoms can become more noticeable, including:
- Vomiting blood
- Extreme fatigue
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blood in stool
Dr. Zhu added that people usually seek medical help when symptoms get worse, like losing weight or having trouble eating or swallowing.
Stomach cancer hides behind symptoms that seem ordinary. If these problems don’t go away, don’t ignore them. Early detection could save your life.
