Stomach Cancer | 6 Warning Signs

Stomach cancer has a reputation for being one of the most painful form of cancer

Stomach cancer has a reputation for being one of the most painful forms of cancer. But for many sufferers, pain is not among the disease's early warning signs. In fact, the most common feature in the early stages may be that it causes no symptoms at all. We all get stomachaches from time to time, and that can make people worry about stomach cancer. But it's not one of the most common cancers, and in most cases stomachaches or pain are not going to be the result of cancer. Make sure you don't ignore these 10 cancer symptoms. So how common is it? Roughly 1 in 111 adults will develop stomach (gastric) cancer at some point in her lifetime, and the disease is more common among men. a person's risk for the disease goes up as she ages. Stomach cancer is not typically an inherited disease. The majority of gastric cancers are sporadic, or caused by random DNA mutations. While there is a super rare genetic mutation associated with the disease, it’s not worth testing for that unless a lot of people in your family tree have had the disease. Want to pick up some healthier habits, or eating tips that will agree with your finicky stomach? Sign up here to get smart advice from Prevention delivered straight to your inbox. So what should you be looking out for? These 6 symptoms.

Blood in your stool or vomit

While far from a sure sign of stomach cancer both colitis and Crohn's disease can cause bloody stool blood in either your poop or your vomit demands a visit to a GI doctor. If the bleeding is related to cancer, the blood in your stool is likely to look maroon or tarry black. It looks that way because it's been acted on by your digestive enzymes. If the blood is in your vomit, it's more likely to look bright red, and it may have a coarse coffee grounds texture because it has been partially digested, she says.

Your appetite dries up in a hurry

You were hungry when you sat down to eat. But after a few bites, your appetite vanishes and the food isn't appealing.it's another symptom that could emphasis on could indicate stomach cancer. Especially if feeling full really quickly is different than what you're used to, that's something you shouldn't ignore.

Your insides hurt

Yes, in some cases stomach pain is a sign of stomach cancer. But in most cases, your pain is going to be the result of some other gut or abdominal ailment, not cancer. Hallmarks of stomach cancer-related pain are that it's persistent and gnawing. It's not something you feel for one day, and then it goes away for two weeks and comes back again. Also, classic stomach cancer pain is a dull ache in the middle of your stomach.

Unexplained weight loss

Many health conditions including type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease, and Crohn's disease can lead to unexplained weight loss. Add stomach cancer to that list. If you're losing weight and not dieting, that's something to pay attention to, she explains. Be aware that the weight loss may be gradual. While you may not notice a sudden drop, you might step on a scale and find you've lost 10 pounds during the last 6 months. Don't freak out over a few shed lbs. But if the weight loss is noticeable and you haven't been doing anything that accounts for it, talk with your doctor.

Heartburn that won't quit

Heartburn, indigestion, and other common symptoms of an unhappy gut can also be early warning signs, according to resources. These sorts of symptoms are much more likely to be something other than cancer. But it’s still a good idea to let your doctor know what’s going on.

Bloating, diarrhea, and constipation

It makes sense that a cancer growing in your stomach could make you feel bloated, or mess with your bowel movements. While each of these symptoms is never going to scream stomach cancer! to a doctor, experiencing them with some of the other issues on this list could lead to cancer related follow-up testing if your doctor can't pinpoint another explanation.