He stomach canceralthough uncommon, represents onegrowing threat, especially among young adults. While the average age of diagnosis is 68, cases in people in their 40s, 50s and 60s are on the rise, according to Dr. Anaum Maqsood, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
“While we all experience gastrointestinal discomfort From time to time, we must be attentive when these persist and do not respond to over-the-counter treatments,” warns the specialist.
Experts associate this increase with social factors such as the consumption of processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle and low consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Although some cases are genetic in origin, many risk factors for stomach cancer can be controlled. Here are four key strategies to reduce your risk and increase your chances of early detection.:
1. Know the warning signs:
Early-stage stomach cancer is usually asymptomatic. In the long term, inflammation and exposure of digestive acids to the esophagus cause cellular changes that can lead to gastrointestinal cancer.
“Stomach acids are essential for digestion, but continued acid damage triggers more cellular repair processes and new cell growth, making some of these cells more likely to go haywire and become cancerous,” explains Dr. Maqsood.
Paying attention to the subtle symptoms of stomach cancer and consulting a doctor for any signs can be crucial for early detection and timely treatment. Symptoms that you should not ignore include:
- Bloating after eating
- Blood in stool (dark brown or black)
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Indigestion, heartburn or GERD
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Choking sensation
- Swelling or fluid buildup in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
However, these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions. Knowing the facts can make the difference between getting a potential cure or, in some cases, facing a deadly disease.
“Consult a doctor immediately if gastrointestinal symptoms do not resolve with over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Maqsood emphasizes. “Our recommendation is that if symptoms persist for more than eight weeks, an endoscopy be performed to rule out an underlying disease.”
2. Identify your risk factors:
Several risk factors, many of them controllable, can increase your chances of developing stomach cancer. Among them are:
- Diet rich in salty, smoked, pickled foods or foods containing nitrates and nitrites
- Alcohol or tobacco consumption
- Overweight or obesity
3. Early detection for high-risk patients:
If you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, consult your doctor to evaluate your individual risk of stomach cancer.
4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle:
“More and more people are experiencing symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and GERD due to our diets, lack of exercise, lifestyle choices and increasing BMI,” observes Dr. Maqsood.
To reduce your risk of stomach cancer, consider the following lifestyle changes:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce the consumption of processed foods.
- Do regular physical activity.
Preventing stomach cancer starts with understanding your personal risk and paying attention to your body’s signals. Consult your doctor about your family history and lifestyle to determine your individual risk and the early detection strategies best suited for you.
“We are preparing to start clinical trials to learn more about how new drugs work to target specific biomarkers in tumors,” explains Dr. Maqsood. “One of them is to attack HER-2, a genetic mutation that is also associated with breast cancer.”
Research and medical advances offer hope for the future of stomach cancer prevention and treatment. By being informed, taking preventive measures, and seeking timely medical attention, we can increase our chances of beating this disease.
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