Cancer is an umbrella term for a range of diseases whereby cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. When your body undergoes these changes, it can produce a number of outward signs.
Other symptoms associated with stomach cancer
According to the NHS, other obvious warning signs include:
- Losing weight without trying to
- Having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- A lump at the top of your tummy
- Others might be harder to spot, such as:
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Loss of appetite
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
- Feeling full very quickly when eating
- Pain at the top of your tummy
- Feeling tired or having no energy
As the NHS points out, you may find you get used to these symptoms, but it’s important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.
The health site also acknowledges these symptoms are very common and can be caused by a number of different conditions, but it’s important to get them checked by a GP.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits have also been linked to an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.
Around one in five of stomach cancers in the UK is linked to smoking, says Cancer Research UK.
What’s more, your risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked a day, warns the charity.
“It is never too late to stop smoking but the sooner you stop the better,” it adds.
