Doctors Call for Early Detection in Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

Hyderabad: The World Health Organisation has said that 1.09 million cases of stomach cancer were recorded worldwide in 2020, the fourth most common cancer, which killed 7.69 lakh people. November is observed as the stomach or gastric cancer awareness month.

It often goes undetected at an early stage, said Dr Vipin Goel, clinical director and head of department for surgical oncology at a private hospital. Its symptoms like vomiting, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, and acid reflux are common to other illnesses

Doctors said that around 60-70 per cent of stomach cancer cases in the country were detected at the final stages. Doctors called it a lifestyle cancer, as it could be caused by poor dietary habits, drinking, smoking, eating processed food as well as other health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. People in their late 40s and 50s and elderly were more prone to stomach cancer.

Dr Kona Lakshmi Kumari, consultant surgical gastroenterologist, said, “Individuals with family history of gastric cancer have high chances of getting the cancer. It is also observed that people in eastern and southern parts of India are more prone to gastric cancer. Smoked meat and pickled food items aggravate the toxins which can lead to cancer”.

Dr Rahul Dubbaka, a consultant gastroenterologist, said understanding the risk factors associated with stomach cancer was crucial for implementing preventive measures.

“Eating a healthy diet, rich in vitamins, abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, smoking as well awareness about symptoms and treatment would be vital in containing the stomach cancer,” the doctor said.