Stomach
cancer is among the most common cancers across the world, yet it is not easy to diagnose. According to experts, common signs like an upset stomach or a little heartburn are something everyone gets from time to time when the digestive system acts up. But what if there are other symptoms that are hard to understand? Also known as gastric cancer, stomach cancer happens when there is an abnormal cell growth in your tummy. Doctors say early symptoms mostly depend on where the tumour is located and what stage it is at. However, you also need to know that early symptoms of stomach cancer are often so vague and unremarkable that they may not set off any alarm bells. It’s easy to confuse them with many other gastric disorders.
Early warning signs of stomach cancer
Feeling full all the time
If you feel too full after just eating a little amount of food or experience full satiety all the time, you need to see a doctor. It happens when the tumour physically limits your stomach's ability to expand. Even though this can be caused by other issues like stress or indigestion, this symptom warrants medical attention if it's persistent, especially if it occurs along with other warning signs like unintentional weight loss, persistent indigestion, or abdominal pain.
Constant bloating
Stomach cancer makes the wall of your stomach very rigid and shrinks its capacity to store food, thereby leading to a feeling of bloating. This not only makes you feel full and tight, but in many cases also makes you look pregnant. According to experts, as cancer cells begin to grow on the stomach lining, they limit its capacity, causing a bloated sensation. It may also be accompanied by other early symptoms like heartburn and unintentional weight loss, but these signs are also common with less serious conditions, so make sure to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Nausea and vomiting
Persistent nausea and vomiting are an early sign of stomach cancer - especially if they are happening without any reason and worsen over time. Doctors say if you suffer from nausea along with other symptoms like indigestion, heartburn, and a feeling of fullness after small meals, you need to visit the doctor soon. Nausea happens when a growth starts to block the exit of your stomach, and the foods you eat or drink are not able to make it to your duodenum – the entry to the intestine, causing you to vomit.
Blood in your stool
If you have been noticing something unusual about your poop – like a change of its colour to very dark, tarry, and smelly – it is a condition known as melena, a symptom of internal bleeding. Even though it is not a common symptom of stomach cancer, doctors say it is an alarming one. A few other causes for blood in the stool include ulcers or hemorrhoids, but any signs of internal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor.
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