Cancer cells are cells that multiply out of control due to a genetic defect or mutation, when this happens, they grow to form either a cancerous (malignant) tumour or a non-cancerous (benign) tumour. But how do cells become defected or mutated? There are a number of ways this happens, for example4:
- Inherited: sometimes genetic defects are inherited and passed down through generations
- Smoking: cigarette smoke can cause our normal cells to mutate into cancer cells
- Bacterial infection: the Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori) bacteria have been known to change substances in our food into chemicals that can mutate the DNA of the cells in the stomach
- Alcohol: excessive consumption of alcohol can mutate our normal cells into cancer cells
The main cause of stomach cancer is still unknown but there are several risk factors that make you more susceptible to it. We will learn more about the risk factors later.
What are the symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
The early-stages of stomach cancer usually do not cause any symptoms or if they do cause symptoms, the effects are so mild that they tend to be ignored. Symptoms of early-stage stomach cancer include5:
- Indigestion
- Mild nausea
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Bloated after meals
Once obvious symptoms appear, the cancer is most likely in the advanced stages and symptoms include4,5:
- Melena (Bleeding)
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness or fatigue
- Yellowish eyes or skin
- Heartburn
- Swelling or fluid retention in the abdomen
If you notice any of the symptoms, make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. Like all diseases, especially cancer, early intervention is the key to survival.
Is Stomach Cancer painful?
Yes, it can be painful especially in the later stages where you might experience pain in the abdomen and heartburn.
Who is at risk of Stomach Cancer in Singapore?
Although cancer is not entirely preventable, there are certain things that make you more susceptible to it, such as4,6,7:
- Age and gender: while anyone of any age and gender can get stomach cancer, it is more common in older men
- Family history: genetically this makes you more at risk of stomach cancer
- Unhealthy diets: a diet high in processed, salty, and smoked food, and low in fruits and vegetables increases your risk of stomach cancer
- Gastroesophageal disease (GERD): also known as chronic reflux
- Bacterial infection: an infection by the H.Pylori bacteria has been shown in studies to be directly linked to stomach cancer
- Obesity: being obese has been linked to an increased risk of cancers of the upper part of the stomach near the oesophagus
- Smoking: cigarette smoke can cause our normal cells to mutate into cancer cells
- History of stomach surgery: individuals who have had surgery to remove part of their stomach or to remove an ulcer from their stomach have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer
- Presence of polyps: polyps are precancerous growths that start out benign (non-cancerous) but may progress to become malignant (cancerous)
- Other medical conditions: certain disorders such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, Lynch syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis
