Answers
What are the warning signs of stomach cancer?
Short answer
Most indigestion and acidity is not cancer. But some symptoms, especially when they are new after age 45 to 50 or keep getting worse, need an endoscopy: weight loss without trying, difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting, black stools, anaemia and feeling full after a few bites. Stomach cancer found early can often be cured.
Warning signs
These can also be caused by ulcers and other treatable problems, which is another reason to get checked.
- Indigestion or upper belly pain that is new and persistent, especially after age 45 to 50
- Weight loss or loss of appetite without trying
- Difficulty swallowing, or food sticking
- Repeated vomiting, or vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools, or iron-deficiency anaemia
- Feeling full after only a few bites
Risk factors
- Long-term H. pylori infection
- Smoking and alcohol
- A diet high in salted, pickled or smoked foods, and low in fruits and vegetables
- A family history of stomach cancer
- Some long-standing stomach conditions found on endoscopy
How it is checked
An upper GI endoscopy is the test. It looks directly at the stomach and allows biopsies to be taken painlessly. Scans such as CT and EUS are used afterwards to find out how far a cancer has spread, if one is found.
Lowering the risk
- Test for and treat H. pylori when advised
- Stop smoking and cut down alcohol
- Eat more fruits and vegetables, and less salted and pickled food
- Do not keep taking acidity tablets for months without finding the cause
Food that lowers stomach cancer risk
Eat more
- Fresh fruits and vegetables every day
- Freshly cooked food, with leftovers kept in the fridge
- Boiled or filtered water, which lowers the chance of H. pylori infection
Cut down
- Salted, pickled and smoked foods, and salted dried fish
- Extra salt at the table
- Tobacco in any form, and alcohol
Good to know
- Spicy food does not cause stomach cancer; very salty and preserved food is the bigger concern.
- Treating H. pylori when advised lowers the risk.
Common questions
Does H. pylori always cause cancer?
No. Most people with H. pylori never get cancer. It does raise the risk, so treatment is advised when it is found, especially with a family history.
Is stomach cancer hereditary?
Most cases are not. A close relative with stomach cancer raises the risk, and an earlier endoscopy may be advised.
Can blood tests or a scan replace endoscopy?
No. Endoscopy with biopsy is the only reliable way to find early stomach cancer.