Have you ever wondered about the incredible process your body engages in each time you eat? You transform food into energy, extract vital nutrients when available, and efficiently discard waste.

The digestive process is vital to our well-being. How we fuel ourselves — the amount and quality — is important to maintaining every element of our digestive system.

Proper fueling was much more difficult in the early part of the 20^th century. As a result, stomach cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. People were eating more smoked and salted foods due to the lack of refrigeration for storage. More people also carried a certain type of bacteria that has been linked to stomach cancer.

The increased use of refrigeration for food storage has helped reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer. New cases of stomach cancer have dropped 1.5% a year over the last 10 years.

Stomach cancer is only about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the U.S. annually according to the American Cancer Society. They project fewer than 27,000 new diagnoses of stomach cancer in 2024. Nearly 60% of these cases are expected in men. Close to 11,000 deaths will be from stomach cancer.

Despite the drop in stomach cancer mortality in the U.S., it is still a risk for a large part of the population. 

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Any cancer is the genetic change of cells that cause them to grow and divide abnormally. Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is the abnormal growth and division of cells in the stomach. It typically starts with precancerous changes to the inner lining of the stomach. There are rarely any symptoms, so they often go undetected.

Since the stomach has five sections, any symptoms or treatments will depend on the section of the stomach where the cancer presents. The symptoms, treatments, and outlooks differ from other abdominal cancers like colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, or cancer of the small intestine. 

Symptoms to Know

Screening for stomach cancer is not the common practice in the U.S. Therefore, most diagnoses don’t occur until the cancers are large or they’ve spread to other parts of the body.

Early-stage stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms. However, look out for:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in the stool
• Feeling full after a small meal
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Unintended weight loss
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Yellowing skin

Causes and Risks

Your risk for stomach cancer depends on several circumstances. Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will get stomach cancer. Many people who have them never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. According to the National Cancer Institute, causes and risks include:

• Genetics and family history — Having a family member with stomach cancer or certain genetic syndromes.
• Diet — Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables or high in salty, smoked, or poorly preserved foods.
• Tobacco use — Smoking regularly which increases your odds of stomach and other cancers.
• Alcohol — Risk is increased if you consume three or more alcoholic beverages a day.
• Environmental and occupational exposures — Working in certain industries or being exposed to elevated levels of radiation.
• H. pylori infection — This bacterium can lead to chronic inflammation in the stomach lining, which increases the risk of stomach cancer.
• Other medical conditions — Conditions with a link to stomach cancer include chronic atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, Epstein-Barr virus infection, pernicious anemia, obesity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Safety with Screenings

Currently there are no standard screening tests to detect stomach cancer in people at average risk. The National Cancer Institute explains that some people who have a higher risk could benefit from screening with an upper endoscopy. They include:

• Elderly individuals with chronic gastric atrophy or pernicious anemia.
• Those with a family history of stomach cancer.
• Individuals who have undergone partial gastrectomy.
• People with specific genetic syndromes.
• Those from regions where stomach cancer rates are above average, specifically east Asia.

As always, consult with your doctor whether this screening is right for you. 

Growing Healthy

Understanding the signs of stomach cancer can profoundly impact your health and well-being. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical care promptly.

Whether you sense something’s wrong, or just want a routine health checkup, AltaMed is your partner. We offer primary care, specialists, and even nutrition-focused programs like dietician counseling and diabetes management. Call us at (888) 499-9303 or click here to get started.