From time to time, we may experience stomach pains, which can cause concern for some, but these do not fall under the early signs that predict the possibility of developing stomach cancer. The question that arises is: what should one pay attention to in the context of facing the risk of stomach cancer? The Cleveland Clinic's health website reported on the prominent symptoms of this type of cancer as outlined by surgeon Daniel Joyce:
1. **Abdominal Bloating**: One of the early signs of stomach cancer is excessive bloating, to the degree that a person may appear to be nine months pregnant. In less severe cases, the cancer may cause the stomach wall to become very rigid, reducing its storage capacity and leading to fluid accumulation in the stomach, which results in bloating.
2. **Heartburn**: Who among us hasn’t experienced heartburn after consuming a spicy meal? While heartburn is common and usually not a cause for concern, if someone suffers from long-term heartburn that does not go away with antacids or other medications, there may be cause for concern.
3. **Nausea and Vomiting**: Nausea and vomiting are indications of a growing mass inside the stomach to the point that it blocks part of the stomach outlet.
4. **General Discomfort**: Those affected by this cancer often experience a general feeling of discomfort due to the spread of cancerous tumors in the abdominal lining, which may feel similar to bloating.
5. **Unexplained Weight Loss**: Weight loss usually results from physical efforts or reduced food intake, but unexplained weight loss is a significant indicator of a potential cancer diagnosis and may be one of the more concerning symptoms.
6. **Fatigue**: This symptom arises from a slow loss of blood, which, alongside unexplained weight loss, could indicate cancer.
7. **Blood in Stool**: This symptom is less common and occurs if a person is losing a significant amount of blood; however, if the bleeding is very slow, it may go unnoticed in the stool.
8. **Unusual Sensation of Fullness**: This early feeling occurs after consuming a small amount of food, defined as approximately 20% of the total normal meal that a person would typically eat.
