How often do people get stomach cancer? This disease occurs in a small, hollow muscle organ in the upper part of the abdomen. It produces acid and enzymes that aid digestion. Because the cells of the stomach are constantly being replaced by new ones, most people don’t experience any problems. However, for some people, this process is disrupted and these cells can become cancerous. If you have a polyp on the lining of your stomach, you should have it checked for any cancerous changes.
Some symptoms of stomach cancer include: lack of appetite, sudden weight loss, abdominal pain above the navel, and blood in the feces. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as early detection is critical. Treatment options for stomach cancer depend on where and when the cancer has spread. Patients should avoid eating fried or preserved food. Those with a family history of stomach cancer should also be evaluated by a doctor if they notice changes in their digestive system.
Several risk factors increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. Smoking, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise are all known risk factors. However, stomach cancer is often preventable by increasing protective factors like exercise and quitting smoking. However, you cannot prevent some of the risk factors – many people with these risk factors never develop cancer. A genetic risk factor for stomach cancer is an inherited disorder that is passed down from one parent to another.
While stomach cancer is relatively uncommon in young people, the likelihood of getting it increases as you age. While it is rare, stomach cancer tends to affect people between 50 and 80 years of age. It is more common in African Americans than white people, and in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. People in those areas often eat preserved foods, which may increase their risk. So, while your risk for getting stomach cancer is not great, if you’re not overweight, it’s important to seek treatment for this disease.
The prognosis for stomach cancer is dependent on the stage of the disease and the extent of the tumor. In general, the prognosis is worse for stomach cancer that has spread outside the stomach. There are three types of stomach cancer – localized, regional, and distant. There is no one size fits all. To make matters worse, stomach cancer is the most common cancer among people over 60. The symptoms of stomach cancer may vary, and the diagnosis may be delayed, if the tumor has spread to nearby tissues.
Most stomach cancers start in the mucosa (innermost layer of the stomach wall), and can spread to the esophagus. Stomach cancer is staged using the TNM system (Tumor, Node, and Metastasis). It is categorized by the depth to which it has spread to lymph nodes and other organs, and whether it has metastasized. Cancers in the stomach are staged from Stage 0 to Stage IV. However, some cancers are still rare and may only spread from one part of the body.