Abdominal pain, heartburn could be subtle signs of stomach cancer; essential for patients to master food portion control
Gastric cancer develops over many years with no obvious symptoms at the start.
By ET CONTRIBUTORS | Updated:
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By Dr Ashok Kumar Vaid
In a fast-evolving world of medical advancements and wondrous innovations, some things never change: a cancer diagnosis. It is as frightening as it was decades ago. A stomach cancer diagnosis can be even more fearful as people know very little about it. Here are a few pointers your need to know that will help dispel the fear and give you a better understanding of the condition.
Stomach cancer: In numbers
According to World Cancer Research Fund International's Stomach Cancer Statistics, globally, an estimated 9,52,000 new cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed each year, with about 7,23,000 lives being lost to the disease (i.e. a 72% mortality rate). In India, about 62,000 cases of stomach cancer are newly diagnosed annually (with an estimated 80% mortality). Additionally, the incidence of stomach cancer is higher in the North-Eastern and Southern states, with the highest number of reported cases from Mizoram.
Heartburn Troubles? Foods To Ease The Problem And Make Gut Feel Good
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Heartburn can strike anyone, but it usually happens to those who are obese and eat big and untimely meals.
From coffee to chocolate, everything you eat may make heartburn worse. But there are also foods that can ease your heartburn.
Here are some of them for you by Ayush Rekha:
Heartburn can strike anyone, but it usually happens to those who are obese and eat big and untimely meals.
From coffee to chocolate, everything you eat may make heartburn worse. But there are also f..
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These two fruits have very low acid content. Hence, they are extremely effective in easing heartburn
These two fruits have very low acid content. Hence, they are extremely effective in easing heartburn
Green vegetables like leafy veggies, broccoli, green beans, celery and cauliflower are low in acid. This can also help in keeping you away from extreme acidity.
Green vegetables like leafy veggies, broccoli, green beans, celery and cauliflower are low in acid. This can also help in keeping you away from extreme acidity.
Fibre content and healthy complex carbs in rice are great to reduce heartburn.
Fibre content and healthy complex carbs in rice are great to reduce heartburn.
The egg whites are a good source of protein. They low acidic quality makes them a good options against heartburns.
The egg whites are a good source of protein. They low acidic quality makes them a good options against heartburns.
This calcium-rich food can soothe heartburn and improve digestion.
This calcium-rich food can soothe heartburn and improve digestion.
All root vegetables, except onion, are good for heartburn.
All root vegetables, except onion, are good for heartburn.
Consuming raw milk during heartburn gives instant relief. It also helps in stomach inflammation.
Consuming raw milk during heartburn gives instant relief. It also helps in stomach inflammation.
Apples contain phenolic phytochemicals that can calm heartburn.
Apples contain phenolic phytochemicals that can calm heartburn.
What to expect & symptoms Stomach cancer develops slowly over many years so there are no obvious symptoms at the start. Common symptoms include poor appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting (with or without blood), swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen, and blood in the stool. Some of these symptoms are treated as they appear and disappear, others continue despite treatment. If this happens, talk to your doctor to understand how best to deal with them. Your doctor may suggest something as simple as a change in diet or may advise more investigation if symptoms persist.
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Diagnosing and treating stomach cancer A stomach cancer diagnosis begins by taking into account the patient's symptoms, medical history, and what the physical examination reveals. To confirm the presence of stomach cancer and determine at what stage it is, the doctor may recommend one or more of these tests: an upper GI endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, a biopsy, or imaging tests such as X-rays, CT, PET or MRI scan.
Depending on the stage of cancer, the doctor decides on the most suitable treatment for the patient choosing from a range of options such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Surgery followed by chemotherapy/radiotherapy in the early stages of stomach cancer offers the possibility of curing one's cancer. However, for patients with advanced metastatic or recurrent stomach cancer, chemotherapy can be supplemented with targeted drugs like trastuzumab, immunotherapy drugs, and ramucirumab, depending on the biology of the cancer. These treatments offer long-term survival with improved quality of life in several cases.
Metastatic Cancer: Myths Vs Facts
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Metastatic cancer, also known as advanced-stage cancer, starts in one organ and then spread to other organs of the body.
Dr Rucha Kaushik, Consultant, Breast Cancer Surgeon, P D Hinduja Hospital & MRC busts some myths associated with high-grade cancer.
Metastatic cancer, also known as advanced-stage cancer, starts in one organ and then spread to other organs of the body.Dr Rucha Kaushik, Consultant, Breast Cancer Surgeon, P D Hinduja Hospital & MRC..
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Fact: Treatment decisions are to be made in consultation with expert clinician after diagnosing the appropriate stage of the cancer. Once diagnosed, treatment protocol should to be followed as per recommendation.
Fact: Treatment decisions are to be made in consultation with expert clinician after diagnosing the appropriate stage of the cancer. Once diagnosed, treatment protocol should to be followed as per re..
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Fact: Biopsy is mandatory to diagnosis the exact of cancer type, grade, and aggressiveness of the tumour. Biopsy helps in understanding the kind of treatment that the cancer will respond to better.
Fact: Biopsy is mandatory to diagnosis the exact of cancer type, grade, and aggressiveness of the tumour. Biopsy helps in understanding the kind of treatment that the cancer will respond to better.
Fact: The treatment depends on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis and the organ(s) involved. The combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy form the treatment protocol. Nothing about the treatment is aggressive or non-aggressive. All cancers to be treated with utmost care.
Fact: The treatment depends on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis and the organ(s) involved. The combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy form the treatment protocol. Nothing a..
Read More
Fact: Cancer isn't a death sentence. Early detection saves life. Diagnosis at early stage gives better chances of complete cure.
Fact: Cancer isn't a death sentence. Early detection saves life. Diagnosis at early stage gives better chances of complete cure.
Some treatments try to cure the cancer while others keep the cancer under control. The doctor will explain the side-effects of the chosen treatment and how to manage it. Remember that these side-effects are common and not cause for a great concern. You must however ensure that you keep your doctor and healthcare team informed of these side-effects and their frequency.
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Lifestyle changes and how to cope with them Living with stomach cancer can be a physical challenge because it alters a very fundamental aspect of life: eating. Patients are required to make diet and lifestyle changes, often at a pace to which they are not accustomed. This may get overwhelming, but asking for support from doctors and caregivers can help make this easier.
When it comes to meals, the most important thing to remember is to choose food that is easy to digest and less of a burden to your stomach at every meal. This includes foods that are soft in consistency, quick to digest and high in protein. Smaller food portions at each meal are also easier to digest. So master the art of portion control. Make sure you eat smaller portions more frequently (about 6 to 8 times a day) that give your body the nutrients it needs without putting a strain on your stomach to digest it. You may also need to take nutritional supplements (vitamin B12, iron, foliate or calcium) if the stomach is unable to absorb these from the food.
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Some patients experience nausea, diarrhoea, sweating and flushing after eating. This is called the 'dumping syndrome', and occurs when part or all of the stomach is removed, causing the swallowed food to pass directly into the intestine. These symptoms often get better with time.
Stomach cancer requires adequate follow-up and post-treatment care, so it is important to meet with the healthcare team for regular check-ups. The doctor conducts a physical exam and reviews symptoms. For the first few years, check-ups are recommended every 3 to 6 months, and after that, annually. Coping with life after a stomach cancer diagnosis is stressful and filled with fear at first, but with the right treatment, lifestyle changes and support from doctors and well-wishers, patients can lead fulfilling lives. Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid (The author is Chairman, Medical and Haemato Oncology, Medanta Cancer Institute & Padma Shri Awardee)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
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