This is a type of cancer that is becoming very common and affects a lot of people. The causes are many. It’s when the healthy cells of the stomach start changing and then grow out of control that you get affected by gastric cancer. It progresses slowly and gets worse over time. It can start in any part of the stomach and then spreads to other areas of the stomach and the body. This cancer can spread to organs like the liver, lungs and even the bones.
There are various types of gastric cancer and some are given below.
ADENO CARCINOMA
This is the most widespread type of gastric cancer and 95% of the cases are affected by this type of carcinoma. The tissue that line the stomach are affected, actually the cells that make mucus and other fluids are the ones that develop the cancer.
OTHER TYPES
The less common gastric cancer is the one that develops in the digestive tract called the carcinoid tumours and gastric sarcoma or lymphomas. These cancers affect the part of immune system or the lymph nodes and thus develop further complications and infections which required immediate medical attention.
WHO CAN GET GASTRIC CANCER?
About 60% of people who get diagnosed with Gastric Cancer are over the age of 65 years. Among this risk age group men are more prone to get this cancer than women. It is also one of the most common type of cancer. In the past gastric cancer was a major one and caused many deaths. With the advent of the refrigerators people started using less of salted and smoked foods which were supposed to cause this cancer.
WHAT CAUSES GASTRIC CANCER?
There are may causes for getting affected with gastric cancer including those mentioned below.
Helicobacter Pylori
Helicobacter Pylori is a kind of bacteria that is known to cause gastric cancer. This bacteria causes ulcers and inflammation in the stomach paving the way for development of cancer cells. There are various strains of these bacteria and they can be treated with antibiotics and that is why it is less common in the present times.
Medical History
There is more chance of contacting gastric cancer if someone in the family has already undergone a surgery for it. Certain medical conditions like serious anemia, stomach polyps and lack of a certain kind of digestive fluid in the stomach cause gastric cancer. You need to have a through medical examination in you suspect any of these conditions.
Certain Lifestyle
The food you take and certain daily habits makes you more prone to get gastric cancer. When you are in the habit of eating lot of smoked foods, salted fish and meat or pickles and picked vegetables you have the risk of developing this cancer. This is more so if you are not eating enough of fresh fruits and vegetables. You are also like to get this caner when you smoke or drink alcohol habitually and when your diet is uncontrolled and you are overweight.
What are the symptoms of Gastric Cancer?
The symptoms of gastric cancer or stomach cancer include:
- Chronic tiredness
- Feeling bloated even after eating little bit
- Heartburns and indigestion
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Frequent stomach pain
- Weight loss without reason
- Blood in the stools
- Vomiting
- Black Stools
- Ball rolling movements