The silent threat: understanding stomach cancer

Last updated:Nov 13, 2024 6:51 PM IST

Stomach cancer poses a significant challenge due to its silent nature and lack of early symptoms.

Increasing public awareness about stomach cancer and recognizing persistent digestive symptoms as potential warning signs is key to combating this silent killer.

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is a formidable and often fatal disease, often referred to as a ‘silent cancer’ due to the subtle nature of its early symptoms. Delaying diagnosis is common because early symptoms can mimic minor digestive problems. This factor, along with a lack of standardized screening protocols, contributes to the disease’s high mortality rate.

Why stomach cancer goes unnoticed

According to Dr. Atul Sharma, Senior Consultant, Department of Medical Oncology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, stomach cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the world as it often goes unnoticed in the early stages. This is largely due to vague initial symptoms such as indigestion, mild abdominal pain or occasional nausea, which many people mistake for everyday digestive problems. “These mild symptoms can easily be overlooked, allowing the disease to progress unnoticed,” explains Dr. Sharma. The anatomical location of the stomach also plays a role, as tumors can grow quickly before causing major symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Dr. Vishal Khurana, Director of Gastroenterology, Metro Hospital Faridabad adds that these subtle symptoms are often dismissed by patients as common stomach problems like bloating or discomfort, making it difficult to identify the cancer in its early stages. “Many people attribute these mild symptoms to less serious conditions, meaning they often miss the critical window for early detection,” he notes. This slow progression allows stomach cancer to progress to later stages before significant symptoms develop, such as persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss begins to occur, complicating treatment and affecting prognosis.

Environmental and lifestyle risk factors

Both Dr. Sharma and Dr. Khurana agree that environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to the risk of stomach cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and high salt diets have all been linked to an increased risk. In addition, infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a common bacteria in the stomach lining, significantly increases the risk. Dr. Sharma emphasizes that although H. pylori infections are widespread, they are often left untreated, potentially leading to stomach cancer in the long term.

Challenges in screening and early detection

A major barrier to early diagnosis is the lack of routine screening for stomach cancer, unlike cancers such as colon or breast cancer, for which screening protocols exist. “Screening for stomach cancer is generally limited to high-risk groups, such as people with chronic gastritis or a family history of the disease,” says Dr. Sharma. This leaves a large portion of the population without access to early screening methods that detect the disease before symptoms worsen.

Dr. Khurana emphasizes that while endoscopy is a reliable diagnostic tool, it is generally only recommended for high-risk individuals or those with persistent symptoms. Without regular screening, many cases of stomach cancer go undetected until they reach an advanced stage. “Raising awareness of the early signs and seeking timely medical advice for unusual digestive symptoms is critical to improving early detection rates,” he advises.

The path forward: awareness and early action

Increasing public awareness about stomach cancer and recognizing persistent digestive symptoms as potential warning signs is key to combating this silent killer. Identifying symptoms such as chronic bloating, mild but persistent stomach pain, and digestive changes may prompt earlier consultation with healthcare providers. Dr. Sharma underlines that improving awareness around risk factors and early signs can help individuals seek timely medical advice, ultimately increasing the chances of an earlier diagnosis.

Dr. Khurana echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that immediate medical evaluation of any unusual or persistent digestive symptom can make a crucial difference. “Timely detection can improve treatment outcomes and can even be life-saving in cases where stomach cancer is detected early,” he concludes.

In summary, gastric cancer poses a significant challenge due to its silent nature and lack of early symptoms. By promoting awareness and encouraging people at risk to seek regular screenings and medical advice, there is hope for earlier detection and better outcomes.