by Victoria Dame

Created on: May 26, 2008

The bad news is that early-stage stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms. This being the reason why stomach cancer is so hard to detect early. Over 100 years ago stomach cancer was the most common type of cancer. Most experts think this was because of all the salted and smoked foods that were eaten. When a tumor grows in the stomach the stomach expand, but it also expands when you eat a large meal or have gas so a tumor may become very large before you experience any discomfort. In my research I found that 80 percent of early stomach cancers cause no discomfort making it difficult to detect. This makes the overall cure rate about 10 percent.

Now if you are one of the lucky ones and your stomach cancer does produce symptoms, it is most usually pain in the upper part of the abdomen. This pain may be from ulceration or sores or obstruction or blockage of the stomach. If it is obstruction then you may have nausea and vomiting, especially after meals. There is also another possible warning sign of stomach cancer and that is bleeding which occurs when the cancer makes sores in your stomach. The bleeding can be heavy which will make you have bloody vomit or black, tarry stools. It also can just be a small amount of blood which is found in your stool. One other sign is a feeling of fullness early in a meal. This occurs because the growth of the cancer stops the stomach from expanding during your meal.

Having one or more of these signs and symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have stomach cancer. Other more common conditions, especially peptic ulcers, can cause similar problems.

This list is just a few of the signs and symptoms that you may have stomach cancer if you experience all or any of these symptoms make an appointment with your doctor so that he can order test.

unintended weight loss and lack of appetite
abdominal pain
vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel
a sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal
heartburn, indigestion, or ulcer-type symptoms
nausea
vomiting, with or without blood
swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen.

Stomach cancer is more readily treated when caught early. Unfortunately, by the time stomach cancer causes symptoms, it's often at an advanced stage and may have spread beyond the stomach. Yet there is encouraging news. You can reduce your risk of stomach cancer by making a few changes in your lifestyle. Stay away from salted, smoked or pickled food.

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