Healthy Times Magazine

Cancer

You’re feeling indigestion, nausea and heartburn.  You thought the condition was brought about by hyperacidity and would correct itself in time. It didn’t bother you, until you noticed that you’ve been losing a lot of weight.
In Singapore, according to a 2001 report, stomach or gastric cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths in males. In females, it ranks 5th.

The causes of stomach cancer aren’t clear. But evidence correlates between a smoked, salted and pickled food diet and gastric cancer. Worldwide, there had been a decline in the disease when refrigeration became the common way of keeping food fresh. As in any cancer, the abnormality starts at the cellular level. The cell’s genetic material mutates and changes the structure of the cell. Then, it replicates repeatedly and forms a tumor mass. The cancer cells can metastasize to other parts of the body.

Do you have a family history of stomach cancer? If you do, you’ve got a higher risk for developing the disease. The risk factors in stomach cancer involve both genetic and environmental factors. The environmental factors include a diet high in salty and smoked foods, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, consuming foods with aflatoxin fungus, infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, chronic inflammation of the stomach or chronic gastritis, stomach polyps and pernicious anemia.

Symptoms of gastric cancer are non-specific and common making it difficult to differentiate from other disease. The symptoms are similar to gastric ulcer such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and indigestion. You’ll be feeling fatigue, a feeling of bloating after eating and especially feeling so full when you’ve eaten little food. What would puzzle you is when you lose weight and that feeling of constant tiredness or fatigue. If these symptoms worry you, visit a gastroenterologist. Your doctor will try to investigate if the symptoms you’re experiencing are due to more common diseases.

A gastroenterologist determines the diagnosis of stomach cancer by use of an endoscopy or upper endoscopy. A flexible tube with an attached camera is passed into the throat and into the stomach. It would inspect the lining of your stomach. Imaging tests such as a CT scan and a barium swallow will be helpful in making the diagnosis.
The most common type is cancer is termed adenocarcinoma. This type begins from the glandular cells of the stomach. The other types of gastric cancer are rare.

Usually, the earlier the cancer is discovered, the better is the outcome. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease.  Surgery removes the abnormal areas. Other treatment options are radiotherapy and chemotherapy. People with gastric cancer can also join clinical trials if they have reached stage3 and the cancer is inoperable.

If you’re diagnosed with the disease you’ll need every ounce of your courage. But be hopeful, join support groups. And stick to your cancer regimen.

If you’re experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, it is always better to consult a gastroenterologist. An earlier diagnosis means a better outcome.

visit www.gastroenterologist.com.sg, for more information.