November is designated as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Raising awareness is vital to help people recognize potential symptoms and to encourage vigilance for signs in loved ones, which could be life-saving.
Stomach cancer, if identified in its early stages, is associated with significantly higher recovery rates. However, advanced-stage diagnosis greatly reduces survival prospects, as reported by the Universidad de Navarra.
This type of cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers globally, occurring more frequently in men across diverse ethnic groups. It is particularly common in populations of East Asian, Native American, African American, and Hispanic descent.
In Mexico, stomach cancer is among the top ten leading causes of cancer-related deaths each year. In the United States, the American Cancer Society reports approximately 26,890 new cases of stomach cancer in 2024, with 16,160 affecting men.
This cancer develops as abnormal cell growth in the stomach’s inner lining, which can lead to ulcer formation. When a gastric ulcer is detected, a biopsy is essential to determine whether it is malignant.
Be aware of the next Stomach Cancer signs:
Cancer symptoms are frequently overlooked by patients. However, researchers have found that many individuals with stomach cancer often do not experience noticeable signs that prompt concern about their health. This lack of early symptoms complicates timely diagnosis, which can significantly impact patient outcomes. On average, patients diagnosed at later stages of stomach cancer may have a life expectancy of 9 to 10 months.
As previously mentioned, stomach cancer symptoms tend to be subtle or absent. Nevertheless, it is essential to stay vigilant for the following key warning signs:
1. Unexplained weight loss without exercise or physical exertion.
2. Sudden feelings of fullness (early satiety) and signs of anemia.
3. Vomiting, bleeding, pain in the upper abdomen (epigastric pain), and burning sensations, with risk factors like smoking, alcohol use, and consumption of nitrate-rich, smoked, or canned foods.
4. Dark or bloody stool.
5. Persistent heartburn.
Diagnosis involves reviewing the patient’s medical history and conducting a physical exam, blood tests, imaging, and an endoscopy. Endoscopy is essential for identifying tumors, assessing their size and location, and confirming malignancy through biopsy. Early detection is critical to improving survival rates.
In countries like Japan and South Korea, endoscopies are conducted routinely, even in infants.
The most common form of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which may initially resemble gastritis. Diffuse gastric carcinoma is less common and more often affects younger women with a family history of cancer. Gastric cancer primarily impacts individuals aged 50 and above, with men being more frequently affected.
Additional risk factors include chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, chronic gastritis, and high intake of certain foods, such as salty foods, spicy dishes, smoked or grilled red meats, all of which can elevate the risk of malignant tumors in the stomach. Gastric infections and bacteria like mycoplasma may also contribute to this risk.
I am wondering now – What is the next step?
This highlights the importance of undergoing annual medical screenings, whether for specific concerns or as part of routine health maintenance. It’s common for your doctor to start with blood tests, imaging, and other preliminary tests rather than immediately recommending an endoscopy. However, sharing your medical history, particularly any family history of cancer, can increase the likelihood of your doctor advising an endoscopy.
If access to an endoscopy is limited or wait times are an issue, we encourage you to consider medical tourism. Endoscopies can be incorporated into routine screenings to enable timely action if necessary.
For more information on medical tourism, please visit our website or social media. We can arrange all necessary tests, which you can then share with your primary care provider in the U.S. Our packages are all-inclusive to provide a seamless, stress-free experience. Based in Monterrey, Mexico, near the Texas border, we also offer services in other popular destinations, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Cancun.
