Stomach cancer awareness month: More young people are getting diagnosed with it; Know the warning signs

There are many warning signs of stomach cancer that often go unnoticed (Picture Credit: Canva)

Stomach cancer is on rise in younger people, yet because it often begins with vague symptoms that are easy to mistake for less serious conditions. Timely attention and prompt assessment can significantly affect early detection.
Stomach Cancer is known to be an illness most frequently seen in elderly people over 50 to 70 years of age. But the trend of recent days indicates that there is a significant surge in infected cases amongst younger people, an alarming trend for health authorities.

Early symptoms like chronic indigestion, unexplained exhaustion, feeling full after eating small amounts of food or just a general vague stomach ache are often overlooked as mere digestive issues. Unfortunately, if early warning signs are dismissed, diagnosis might be delayed with subsequent treatment being more difficult. Important to know, have routine health checks and seek medical care are stressed by experts.

Lifestyle and environmental factors are also at play in increasing the rate of UTIs in younger adults today, from what we eat to stress and untreated infections. Not every digestive reason warrants concern, but it’s important to be mindful of bodily changes. Recognizing these early warning signs and appreciating their significance is an important first step in promoting earlier detection and healthier long-term outcomes.

Dr Yeshwanth R., Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru says talks about the symptoms in details and what to do as first step:

Early symptoms often missed

Stomach cancer is usually diagnosed in advanced stages as the symptoms are vague and often ignored by patients. The most common early symptom of stomach cancer is upper abdominal discomfort or pain, heartburn, Nausea and vomiting are also common. All these can be confused with dyspeptic symptoms which can be attributed to gastritis or gall bladder stones. Also patients take over-the-counter medicines for these causing further delay in seeking proper medical advice.

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The warning symptoms of advanced disease are:

Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Early satiety (feeling full after a small meal)
Altered stools (black/tarry stools)
Poor appetite
Persistent Vomiting after food intake , which might indicate gastric outlet obstruction

Hence, any dyspeptic symptom lasting 4-5 weeks should be evaluated further with upper GI endoscopy, which is a simple and safe test.

More young adults affected

The reason for the increasing incidence of stomach cancer in India is mainly due to environmental factors. The most important among them is H. pylori infection (contributing to nearly 70–75% of cases).

H. pylori is a bacteria that infects the stomach and is transmitted mainly by consumption of contaminated water. H. pylori infection causes features of gastritis but is easily diagnosed and treated with a course of antibiotics.

Other causes of stomach cancer are:

Diet
Excessive consumption of processed meats like salted/smoked meat
High salt intake
Smoking(doubles the risk of stomach cancer)
Alcoholism(multiplicative synergy with smoking)
Low intake of fruits and vegetables
Obesity
Previous surgery on the stomach

The recent rise in stomach cancer among young adults could be due to changes in lifestyle factors like increased consumption of these processed foods with smoking and alcohol consumption with a diet poor in fibre and vitamin rich natural foods like fruits and vegetables.

Still, risks can be reduced. Stomach cancer can be prevented to a large extent by a few simple lifestyle change measures:

Prevent consumption of contaminated water
Stop smoking and reduce stress levels
Limit/stop alcohol intake
Consume foods high in fibre and vitamins such as fruits and vegetables
Reduce consumption of processed foods and focus on gut care

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Regular screening helps early detection

Stomach cancer can also be detected at an early stage by a simple test - upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In Japan and South Korea, UGI endoscopy is compulsory for screening, but India being a moderate-incidence country (apart from North east India which has an incidence similar to Japan) for stomach cancer, screening is not mandatory. However, any patient with persistent symptoms should be evaluated by endoscopy.

Once diagnosed, stomach cancer is treated by a multidisciplinary team led by a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist and medical gastroenterologist, with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

FAQs on stomach cancer:

1. What is stomach cancer?

A cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach, often starting with abnormal cell growth.

2. What are common symptoms?

Persistent indigestion, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, weight loss, or blood in vomit/stool.

3. What increases the risk of stomach cancer?

H. pylori infection, smoking, high-salt diets, family history, and certain stomach conditions.

4. How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

Through endoscopy, biopsy, imaging tests, and blood work.

5. Can stomach cancer be treated?

Yes—treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy depending on the stage.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.