Cancer is by far one of the most dreaded diseases suffered by people the world over. As dangerous as it seems, it may be surprising to note that early detection and prompt treatment are some of the most effective methods to prevent this disease from wreaking havoc in your life. Stomach cancer, caused by cancerous cells infesting the gastric walls of your stomach, is a silent disease in the initial few stages.
Unlike other types of cancer that produce significant symptoms early on, stomach cancer is predominantly asymptomatic in the initial stages. This could lead to a lot of confusion and negligence in the affected individual.Looking out for certain specific symptoms that are characteristic of stomach cancer can help the concerned individuals cope and heal in an effective manner.
Since most of the symptoms overlap with other types of diseases and cancerous conditions, arming oneself with beneficial information about stomach cancer and any disease or disorder will always come in handy.
Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer
1. Bloody Stools
Blood appearing in the stools should be an immediate cause of concern. Although bloody stools are reported in relatively less dangerous diseases like hemorrhoids and stomach ulcers, the cancerous cells in the body could also result in bloody stools. Visiting the doctor at the earliest is highly recommended in such cases. In some cases, severe bloody stools could also lead to anemia and other health complications.
2. Abdominal Discomfort
Since the walls and tissues of the stomach are being attacked by cancerous cells, the chances of the affected individual complaining about abdominal discomfort are extremely high. In some cases, people might brush aside abdominal pain and bloating as nothing serious. They might also link it up with indigestion or heartburn and neglect the initial warning signs of stomach cancer. Therefore, if you are feeling constantly uneasy, it is always recommended that you pay a visit to the doctor rather than indulging in self-diagnosis.
3. Loss Of Appetite
Any type of cancer has a profound effect on your overall well-being and will directly or indirectly interfere with your eating habits. Experiencing a sudden loss of appetite and having no desire to even eat your favorite meals should be a cause of concern. Loss of appetite could also indicate the possibility of you developing peptic ulcer.
Therefore, if you don’t feel like eating anything for an unusually large period of time, it is highly recommended that you pay a visit to a doctor and get the condition diagnosed. Even though loss of appetite seems predominantly harmless, this could be an initial symptom of stomach cancer that many tend to neglect.
4. Nausea/Vomiting
Nausea and/or vomiting are some of the classical symptoms of stomach cancer. While some people might mistake these signs to be a case of mild indigestion or food poisoning, when this is accompanied with loss of appetite and abdominal discomfort, you have multiple reasons to be worried about. Blood in vomit is an important indication of stomach cancer.
5. Unexplained Weight Loss
Excess vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling full even when you have eaten very little, abdominal problems leading to constipation or diarrhea and bloody stools will have a direct effect on your weight. Unwanted or unexplained weight loss and lethargy could be massive indicators that something is not right in your digestive system’s functioning. Anemia, tiredness and inability to perform day-to-day activities are crucial signs of stomach cancer.
