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Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is relatively uncommon in the United States, accounting for about 1.5% of all new cancer diagnoses each year. It occurs most often in older adults, with the average age at diagnosis being 68 years. Men have a slightly higher lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer than women do.
The good news is that stomach cancer is far less common than it once was. Decades ago, it was one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in America. Researchers believe its decline is linked to improvements in food preservation, including widespread refrigeration, as well as a decrease in infections caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Understanding the Stomach and Stomach Cancer
The stomach is a pouch-like organ located in the upper abdomen, and it is an important part of the digestive system. After food travels down the esophagus, the stomach uses digestive juices to break it down before passing it to the small intestine.
Most stomach cancers begin in the inner lining of the stomach, called the mucosa. These cancers typically develop slowly over many years. Early changes often cause few or no symptoms, which can make the disease difficult to detect in its earliest stages.
Signs and Symptoms
Many symptoms of stomach cancer can also be caused by less serious conditions. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider.
Common signs and symptoms may include:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Pain, discomfort, or bloating in the abdomen
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
• Heartburn or indigestion that does not improve
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Blood in the stool or dark-colored stool
• Fatigue or weakness caused by anemia
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), particularly
if the cancer has spread to the liver
Who Is at Risk?
Several factors may increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, including:
• Infection with H. pylori
• Smoking
• A diet high in salty, smoked, or heavily processed foods
• Obesity
• Certain inherited genetic syndromes
• A family history of stomach cancer
• Chronic inflammation or other long-term stomach conditions
Having one or more risk factors does not mean a person will develop stomach cancer, but understanding your risk can help guide discussions with your doctor.
Is There a Screening Test?
Unlike breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer, there is no routine screening test for stomach cancer for the general U.S. population.
However, people who have a strong family history of stomach cancer, certain inherited genetic conditions, or other significant risk factors may benefit from
additional monitoring. In some cases, doctors may recommend an upper endoscopy, a procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine
for abnormal areas.
Reducing Your Risk
While not all stomach cancers can be prevented, healthy lifestyle choices may help lower risk and improve overall health. Consider these steps:
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit heavily salted, smoked, and processed foods.
• Talk with your doctor about testing for and treating
H. pylori, if appropriate.
These habits may also help reduce the risk of several other types of cancer and chronic diseases.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as a patient’s overall health.
Treatment may include:
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapies that attack specific features of cancer cells
• Immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system recognize and fight cancer
Advances in precision medicine have expanded treatment options and improved outcomes for many patients with stomach cancer.
The Role of Clinical Trials
Progress in cancer care depends on ongoing research. Clinical trials evaluate new approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer, and they have led to many of today’s most effective therapies.
For some patients, participation in a clinical trial may provide access to promising new treatments while helping to advance cancer care for future generations. Patients interested in clinical trials should discuss available options with their healthcare team.
WORLD-CLASS CANCER TREATMENT, CLOSE TO HOME
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