Indian Men Are At High Risk Of Developing 5th Deadliest Cancer - Expert Shares How To Prevent It

In recent years, cancer awareness among Indian youth has seen significant growth, yet stomach cancer remains an underrated threat. Despite being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in India, it often goes unnoticed until it is too late. The stomach is responsible for food storage and digestion and is uniquely structured to expand as needed. This adaptability allows stomach cancers to grow significantly before showing any symptoms. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, stomach cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer globally. In India, it is especially prevalent among men, with urban areas witnessing a higher incidence due to lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and increased exposure to carcinogens like tobacco and alcohol.

So how to know if you have any symptoms or not? Times Now got in touch with Dr Arun Kumar Goel, Director of Surgical Oncology at Andromeda Cancer Hospital, who shares that early detection and lifestyle modifications can play a crucial role in combating this deadly disease.

Dr Goel explains, "Even when the tumour becomes large, symptoms like acidity, abdominal pain, or vague discomfort are often dismissed as minor digestive issues, leading to late-stage diagnosis in most cases."

Asia accounts for over 70 per cent of global stomach cancer cases, and India’s large population and changing lifestyle habits make it a significant contributor. "Stomach cancer's aggressive nature and the often vague symptoms make it one of the deadliest cancers," says Dr Goel. "Awareness, early detection, and lifestyle changes are key to reducing its impact."

Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer include:

- Trouble swallowing

- Belly pain

- Feeling bloated after eating

- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food

- Not feeling hungry when you would expect to be hungry

- Heartburn

- Indigestion

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Losing weight without trying

- Feeling very tired

- Stools that look black

Stomach cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages. When they happen, symptoms might include indigestion and pain in the upper part of the belly. Symptoms might not happen until the cancer is advanced. Later stages of stomach cancer might cause symptoms such as feeling very tired, losing weight without trying, vomiting blood and having black stools.

Why Is Stomach Cancer So Dangerous?

Dr Goel shares several factors that make stomach cancer particularly challenging:

- Aggressive Tumour Growth: Stomach cancers are fast-growing and highly malignant.

- Misleading Symptoms: Symptoms like acidity, abdominal pain, or fatigue can mimic common digestive issues, leading to delays in diagnosis.

- Late Detection: By the time symptoms like low haemoglobin, rapid weight loss, or loss of appetite are noticed, the disease has often reached an advanced stage.

Risks Of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer risk factors can be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable categories.

- Low fruit and vegetable intake: Consuming less than the recommended 400 grams per day increases risk.

- High salt consumption: Found in pickles, bread, and processed foods, excessive salt intake can damage the stomach lining.

- Red and processed meat: Limit intake to less than 70 grams daily, as recommended by the Indian government.

- Smoked foods: Carcinogenic compounds in smoked foods raise the risk of stomach and gastrointestinal cancers.

Tobacco use triples the risk of stomach cancer. Alcohol, especially in large amounts, aggravates stomach lining damage, increasing cancer risk.

- Chronic inflammation of the stomach.

- Severe anaemia due to Vitamin B-12 deficiency.

- Helicobacter pylori infection (if untreated).

- Age: Risk increases significantly after 75 years.

- Gender: Men are twice as likely as women to develop stomach cancer.

- Genetics: A family history of stomach cancer or inherited conditions like Li-Fraumeni Syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) increases susceptibility.

Prevention and Early Detection

Dr Goel advises several preventive measures to reduce the risk of stomach cancer:

- Maintain a healthy diet: Increase fruit and vegetable intake while reducing salt, processed meat, and smoked foods.

- Avoid tobacco and alcohol: Eliminate these substances to significantly lower risk.

- Address medical conditions: Treat chronic stomach issues and H. pylori infections promptly.

- Regular check-ups: People with a family history of cancer or persistent digestive symptoms should seek timely medical advice.

Treatment Options For Stomach Cancer

Treatment for stomach cancer often involves a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and in some cases, targeted therapy. Dr Goel shares, "When performed with curative intent, surgery is complex and major. However, late-stage diagnoses often limit treatment options to palliative care."

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