This time of year, when food-focused gatherings are in abundance, many people will experience common symptoms of overeating, such as heartburn, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. For most experiencing these symptoms, there isn’t a cause for concern as they can find relief with diet changes or occasional use of over-the-counter medications. However, for others, these can be the first signs of stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer.  
 
With such vague and mild early symptoms, stomach cancer is often challenging to diagnose until later stages when symptoms are more severe. Because there are no recommended routine screening guidelines for those at average risk, it’s important to understand your risk of developing stomach cancer and the symptoms of this disease to help you have informed conversations with your doctor about your health.    
 
What are the risk factors of stomach cancer?
Age, gender, and ethnicity can all affect your risk of stomach cancer. Approximately six out of 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer are over 65, and the risk increases with age. While it’s most common in those over age 50, the rates of young adults with stomach cancer have been steadily increasing in the United States.
 
Stomach cancer affects more men than women, and people with a family history of the disease are also at a higher risk. Additionally, Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop stomach cancer.
 
Other risk factors include:

• Bacterial infection: A specific bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which commonly causes ulcers, has been linked to stomach cancer as a major cause of the disease. However, most people with this treatable bacterium don’t develop stomach cancer.
• Viral infection: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with some stomach cancers.
• Diet: Smoked foods, salted fish and meats, pickled vegetables, as well as eating few or no fruits, have been linked to an increased risk.
• Weight: Obesity and being overweight may increase the risk of certain types of stomach cancer.
• Smoking: Smokers face twice the risk of developing stomach cancer than nonsmokers.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to radiation and work exposure in the rubber, coal, and metal industries leads to higher risk.
• Common variable immune deficiency: People with CVID have an increased risk.
• Stomach health issues: People with stomach lymphoma, previous stomach surgery, pernicious anemia, Menetrier disease, certain types of stomach polyps, intestinal metaplasia, chronic atrophic gastritis, and those with inherited cancer syndromes (BRCA-1, BRCA-2, familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Lynch syndrome, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome) have a higher risk.

 
If you think you might be at increased risk, it’s important to speak with your physician to determine if you should test for any of the factors above or begin routine screenings for stomach cancer.
 
What symptoms are associated with stomach cancer?
Most stomach cancer patients won’t experience symptoms until it’s in later stages of development. However, some people may experience symptoms before it reaches advanced stages, which can include:

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bloating of the stomach after meals
• Loss of appetite

 
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, you should speak to your primary doctor or a gastroenterologist.
 
Furthermore, if you experience signs of late-stage stomach cancer, such as chronic weakness and fatigue, vomiting blood or blood in the stool, and/or unexplained weight loss, you should speak to your physician as soon as possible.
 
Trust your gut
While stomach cancer was once a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, the disease has become less common. This year, an expected 2,210 Texans will be diagnosed with stomach cancer, and 910 will die from the disease.
 
November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, and as we enter a season of food-focused events, it’s important to understand your family’s history of cancer and speak with your physician if you notice persistent signs or symptoms. Remember, early detection of stomach cancer is key, so listen to your gut.