Introduction (Symptoms of Stomach Cancer)
Gastric cancer or stomach cancer is a fatal disease which cannot be diagnosed in time. All individuals misunderstand symptoms and attribute them to common digestive disorders such as acidity, gas, or indigestion. Gastric cancer goes unnoticed until it has progressed to the later stages and is extremely difficult to cure. Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in India. India sees about 50,000 new cases of stomach cancer each year, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Stomach cancer is more prevalent in older people but is on the rise among young people. Let us see about the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer in detail.
The best news here is that the disease can be salvaged with early diagnosis. Stomach cancer can be cured if diagnosed early. That is why you should be aware of the symptoms and consult a doctor if you experience any of them.
5 Early Symptoms of Stomach Cancer You Should Not Ignore
Indigestion, acidity, or heartburn on a regular basis
Indigestion and acidity are part of life for every Indian, especially after a spicy or oily meal so common on the Indian plate. But if you are battling persistent acidity, bloating or stomach cramps even after consuming over-the-counter medication, chances are that it is a symptom of some underlying condition, more serious in nature. It has been discovered in researches that the GERD patients of chronic acid reflux have a startling 40% likelihood of acquiring stomach cancer. If you have such excruciating symptoms and yet there isn’t any reprieve even after home remedies for 6 to 8 weeks, then surely it is of utmost importance that you go for a proper check-up at a medical facility. Your well-being is the concern, and early diagnosis can save your life.
Sudden and Unexplained Weight Loss
Light weight loss is a fine one, but if you are losing weight at an extremely rapid rate without diet or exercise, that’s a red flag. Over 40% of gastric cancer patients present with non-explanatory weight loss as a symptom. If you lose over 5 kg in a few months without any lifestyle change, consult a doctor immediately.
Recurrent Vomiting and Nausea (With or Without Blood)
It is possible to feel sick to your stomach or vomit every now and then after eating something that’s gone bad. But if you are persistently nauseated and vomiting—especially if the vomiting is bloody—it is a warning sign. Nearly 20% of patients diagnosed with stomach cancer have had ongoing nausea before their diagnosis. Seeing blood vomit that may be dark brown or coffee ground eyes should be looked at by a physician immediately.
Satiety following consumption of small portions (Early Satiety)
Do you catch yourself being asked to get up from the table after consuming a few bites of food because you are full? If you catch yourself being unable to consume normal quantities and you already feel full, then this is one of the signs of a tumour in your stomach. 35% of patients with stomach cancer have reported early satiety as one of the first signs.
Unusual and sudden loss of appetite or feeling of fullness too rapidly even after having very little food, one should consult a doctor.
Recurrent Abdominal Pain or Discomfort
Light stomach ache is caused by acidity, gas, or infection. But if pain is chronic and persists for months or weeks, then obviously there will be some cause. Pain in stomach cancer is most often confused with ulcers or gastritis and thus receives a late diagnosis. If you have routine stomach ache which gets worse upon eating or fails to get better with usual medication, get it examined.
Who is at Risk of Stomach Cancer?
Know the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer to stay risk-free. There are some risk factors through which one gets exposed to stomach cancer, some of which are:
- Unhealthy Diet: High intake of salted, smoked, or processed food (such as pickles, papad, processed meat) increases the risk.
- Smoking & Alcohol: Double the risk is for smokers.
- H. Pylori Infection: One of the most prevalent causes of stomach cancer is this bacterial infection in India.
- Family History: Your risk goes up if a first-degree relative of yours developed stomach cancer.
- Physical Inactivity: On usual days, the risk becomes twice.
How to Lower Your Chances of Developing Stomach Cancer?
Though you cannot eradicate all risk factors (e.g., family history), you can lower your chances of developing stomach cancer by taking healthy lifestyle habits.
- Check-Ups: You do not have a regular check-up for stomach cancer, but if you have risk factors, speak with your doctor just as you may be thinking of having an endoscopy.
- Balanced Diet: Consume raw greens, fruits, and fiber foods. Do not consume processed, fried, and salty foods. Fruit, vegetable, and whole grain food diets decrease the risk of stomach cancer by 30%.
- Tackle Stomach Infection Early: Frequent stomach infection or H. Pylori should be treated by taking antibiotics.
- Quit Smoking & Restrict Liquor: Smoker and drinking increase your level of risk in stomach cancer.
- Exercise Daily: Exercise lowers the risk of cancer for almost all cancers. Walk, yoga, or your favorite—30 minutes or more a day. One study showed that exercise lowers the risk of stomach cancer by 20%.
Stomach Cancer Hottspots in India
Stomach cancer is less common in India, but it has local hotspots with extremely high rates.
India’s Highest-Risk Areas
- Northeastern states (Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland) – Increased intake of fermented foods and smoked meat elevates risk.
- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala – Increased intake of alcohol beverages and chili food raises incidence.
- Metro cities like Mumbai & Delhi – Rising cases due to fast food, processed food, and physical inactivity.
It was reported by the 2023 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that Mizoram recorded the largest incidence of cancer of the stomach in India at 33/100,000 population—practically 5 times of all-India average!
Simple Home Tests for early detection (Self-Testing)
Check Your Symptoms: Do You Need a Doctor?
Reply to the below 5 simple questions:
Do you experience prolonged acidity, bloating, or stomach ache which just refuses to go away?
Did you lose over 5 kg without any reason in the past 3 months?
Did you ever have blood-stained or tarry stools?
Do you feel full even after eating small amounts of food?
Did you continuously vomit or have nausea?
If you are ‘YES’ to 2 or more of the above, see a doctor at once.
Tests That You Can Have Done
Pylori Test (stool test or breath test) – Helps identify infection of stomach cancer caused by a bacterium.
Stool Blood Test – Points towards the presence of blood in stool, the first possible indicator.
Endoscopy – A simple 30-minute painless test where your stomach lining is examined by a physician for any abnormality.
Free Cancer Screening Centers in India
Don’t worry about the cost of screening? Not many FREE or low-cost centers in India:
Government Hospitals – Arrange free cancer screening under subsidized cancer screening scheme conducted by National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai – Conducts free screening camps for high risk patients.
Cancer Awareness and Screening Program (CASP) – Conducts free check-up in rural centers.
CanSupport & Indian Cancer Society – Provide free testing & financial aid to cancer patients.
Tip: Check a community health center or government hospital and see if there are screenings offered in your area!
New Breakthroughs in Treating Stomach Cancer
Latest India News:
Early Diagnosis with AI – AIIMS Delhi is developing AI tools to detect stomach cancer at an early stage from endoscopic images.
Immunotherapy Advances – New medicines such as nivolumab & pembrolizumab are found to be beneficial well in advanced stage stomach cancer patients.
Genetic Screening – Scientists at Tata Memorial Hospital screen high-risk families by testing for CDH1 gene mutations.
Hope for the Future: And all because of these advances, stomach cancer can be cured at an early stage with a survival rate of more than 90%!
Conclusions
Stomach cancer is a slow killer because the symptoms occur late. But if you discover it in time, you can cure yourself. If you have long-standing stomach problems that are so prevalent even after repeated dosages, do not neglect them! Consult a doctor. Your body is yours. Listen to your body and act in time.
