Symptoms of stomach cancer can often be confused with less serious conditions, which is why it’s vital to be aware of the warning signs and seek medical advice early.
One particular painful symptom could point to this serious illness – persistent indigestion (dyspepsia) and burping.
Cancer Research UK explains: “You can get indigestion when acid from the stomach goes back up (refluxes) into the food pipe (oesophagus). Or you can get it if you have any irritation in your stomach.”
This symptom typically occurs after eating, according to the charity. However, they also note that indigestion is common and not always a sign of cancer.
“Indigestion and heartburn can be very painful, even if nothing’s seriously wrong,” the health charity advises. They recommend seeing a doctor if you experience heartburn most days for more than three weeks.
Other early symptoms of stomach cancer, as outlined by Macmillan Cancer Support, include a loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, unexplained weight loss, pain or swelling in the upper abdomen, nausea or vomiting, reports Surrey Live.
Additional signs of stomach cancer may involve difficulty swallowing, blood in the stools or black stools, and experiencing fatigue or shortness of breath.
As for who is at risk, the exact causes of stomach cancer are not fully understood, but there are known risk factors. According to Cancer Research UK, these can include:
- Being male
- Being aged 55 or over
- Smoking
- Following a diet low in fibre with high amounts of processed foods or red meats
- Consuming many salted or pickled foods
- Having a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection