Stomach Cancer Signs And Symptoms

While stomach pain is one of the more prominent signs of stomach cancer, it’s not a common early warning sign.

Notoriously one of the most painful forms of cancer, Dr Umut Sarpel, an associate professor and surgical oncologist at New York's Mount Sinai Health System said often stomach cancer can have no symptoms at all.

"We all get stomachaches from time to time, and that can make people worry about stomach cancer," he explained.

"But it's not one of the most common cancers, and in most cases stomach aches or pain are not going to be the result of cancer."

Stomach cancer is the 16th most common cancer in the UK and around 6,700 Brits are diagnosed with it every year.

And while the amount of cases have decreased by 48% since the early 1990’s, there is only a 15% survival rate.

However, there is also a 75% prevention rate, so here are the early signs of stomach cancer to look out for:

1. Loss of appetite

If you find yourself hungry before lunch but when you start to eat can only manage a few bites this could be a sign of stomach cancer. Food may also no longer be appealing.

If this is unusual and recurring this is reason enough to visit your GP.

2. Blood in your stool or vomit

While blood in your stool can be a sign of other diseases, they all will need a trip to the doctor.

Umut said if it is related to stomach cancer, the blood in your stool will look maroon or “tarry black”. If it is in your vomit it will look bright red and have a coarse texture.

3. Relentless heartburn

If you suffer from heartburn or indigestion and can’t seem to get rid of it this could be a sign something is playing up in your stomach.

4. Bloating, diarrhoea and constipation

A growth in your stomach will make you feel bloated and mess with your bowel movements.

While these can easily be dismissed, if you do experience these coupled with other symptoms on the list then it’s best to book an appointment with your GP.

5. Unexplained weight loss

"If you're losing weight and not dieting, that's something to pay attention to," Umut said.

The weight loss could also be gradual so make sure you step on a scale every once in a while even if you aren’t dieting. Type 1 diabetes also leads to unexplained weight loss.

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