Warning signs of stomach cancer from "seemingly normal" symptoms

Stomach cancer is not common. According to the American Cancer Society, the average woman’s chance of developing the disease is only 1 in 154.

However, what is worrying is that this disease has symptoms that sometimes seem insignificant, or sometimes there are no warning symptoms at all.

Below are some early warning symptoms of stomach cancer you can refer to.

Blood in stool

Blood in the stool can be a sign of stomach cancer. Photo:Shutterstock

Blood in the stool can be caused by a number of health problems that are not related to cancer. However, it can also be a sign of stomach cancer.

In this case, the blood appears because the cancer has caused an ulcer. Blood usually appears in the later stages of the disease, but it can also appear early.

Frequent stomach aches

According to doctors, the patient's abdominal pain often occurs in the epigastric region - the area located in the middle just below the bottom of the ribs. This pain can be caused by a cancerous tumor growing in the stomach. In other cases, the pain can be caused by indigestion, diverticulitis or kidney stones.

You should see a doctor if severe abdominal pain persists or recurs repeatedly.

No appetite

Sudden loss of appetite can be caused by stomach cancer. Photo:Healthsite

If you have always been a food addict and suddenly lose your appetite or taste, this is something to be concerned about. Stomach ulcers can also cause loss of appetite. This disease often causes pain, but sometimes there are no obvious symptoms. More dangerously, stomach ulcers increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Heartburn

Heartburn can be a symptom of stomach cancer. Photo:family doctor

Heartburn can be a symptom of cancer and also increases the risk of developing the disease. Heartburn is often accompanied by pain in the abdomen or upper abdomen.

People with heartburn often also have peptic ulcers, which means there is more acid than normal in the stomach, increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Heartburn often presents as a burning sensation, nausea, chest pain, and is also difficult to diagnose at home.

In particular, if you have to take antacids (a group of drugs that neutralize stomach acid) regularly, you should see your doctor regularly.

Uncontrolled weight loss

Uncontrolled weight loss is one of the first symptoms of stomach cancer. Photo:constant weight loss

Weight loss is a sign of stomach cancer, partly due to loss of appetite and also because the disease can cause uncontrolled weight loss. Sometimes this is also the first warning sign of stomach cancer when there are no other noticeable symptoms.

Significant weight loss requires a lot of effort from exercise and a disciplined diet. Therefore, you should not ignore sudden weight loss without a clear cause.

Difficulty swallowing

Stomach cancer can cause coughing, choking, and difficulty swallowing when eating or drinking. Photo:Shutterstock

As the stomach tumor grows and compresses the esophagus, you may experience difficulty swallowing. You may feel as if food is stuck in your throat, or you may cough or choke when eating or drinking. In some cases, you may feel as if food is coming back up shortly after eating. Heartburn is also often accompanied by difficulty swallowing.

Feeling full faster than usual

Stomach cancer causes bloating, making you feel full faster than usual. Photo:Livestrong

This symptom usually appears in the later stages of stomach cancer. The feeling of fullness occurs when the abdominal muscles are no longer able to push food through the intestinal system as usual. The abdomen becomes bloated and the body feels full, but in fact the food is not moving through the intestines.

In addition, feeling full too early is also caused by a disease unrelated to cancer called gastroparesis. The disease appears when the stomach's sphincter muscles do not function normally, hindering the process of digesting food.