Gastric Cancer in the Spotlight

Wheelhouse
June 23, 2022
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Gastric cancer finds itself in the news as country music superstar Toby Keith announced he’s been fighting stomach cancer. Celebrities offering transparency about their struggles brings awareness to the larger population. Knowledge, when it leads to action, is power!

Wheelhouse disrupts the way cancer is prevented and treated – and that starts with education. In this case, we will look at several key topics for gastric cancer that you can take with you after reading this news post.

Risks and Predispositions

A diet high in salt and smoked or pickled foods are linked to increased incidence rates of this cancer. This is because high amounts of sodium damage the stomach’s lining. Smoking creates a predisposition and genetics can also play a role. A few diseases cause mutations in your genes which can drastically increase your risk.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

Currently, no screening offers early detection of gastric cancer. And unfortunately, the signs do not usually appear until the cancer increases in aggressiveness. Discovery usually happens later in life, with 68 being the average age of diagnosis.

However, look out for these symptoms and talk to your primary physician should you notice any of these:

Unintended weight loss
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Increase in belching

Diagnosis

Diagnosing gastric cancer occurs in a few ways. An endoscopy is common, where a small camera enters your stomach. This allows visual analysis of the area, and even a biopsy can be performed. Doctors may do less invasive procedures, such as a CT scan or a PET scan to see if the cancer has spread.

Treatment

Treatment varies for each individual based on a number of factors. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are common.

As we bring awareness to gastric cancer, consider your diet and predispositions. Watch for the warning signs and symptoms. If you have a question or something just doesn’t feel right, it never hurts to talk to your primary physician and seek the help you need. When caught early, cancers are often more treatable. You can get back to doing the things you love with the people you love!