Gastric cancer is the third most common among all cancers. Usually, the formation of a tumor is preceded by the appearance of an ulcer. In most cases, the cause of stomach cancer is malnutrition, including excessive consumption of spicy foods. Doctors also highlight stress and bad habits. Elena Zhuchkova, an oncologist and surgeon, told more about food harmful to the stomach.
The main causes of stomach cancer
The appearance of some cancers is highly dependent on heredity. But it is rarely genetic failure that leads to stomach cancer. This occurs in 3–3.5% of all cases of this disease, Zhuchkova noted in an interview with Izvestia.
The main reasons for the development of the disease, the doctor attributed
- unbalanced diet;
- smoking, excessive alcohol consumption;
- uncontrolled medication.
The oncologist explained that all of the above leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the walls of the stomach, and then to various inflammations.
With regard to food, stomach cancer usually develops due to the abundant consumption of fried, smoked, pickled and especially spicy foods, as well as foods containing nitrates.
Often cancer is preceded by a stomach ulcer. One of the first symptoms of an ulcer is aching, sometimes burning pain after eating. Patients also experience a feeling similar to hunger.
How long do people live with stomach cancer
It all depends on when the disease is discovered. Many patients learn about the diagnosis already at the third stage, when the tumor grows into all the tissues of the stomach. It is then that the pain becomes such that a person goes to the doctor.
In the third stage, the tumor is no longer operated on. Therefore, only 23% of patients live with stomach cancer for more than five years. But ultimately it all depends on the location of the metastases and the general condition of the patient.
The good news is that if cancer is detected in the first stage, 8 out of 10 people survive.
How to prevent stomach cancer
In order not to get stomach cancer, you need to change your lifestyle. Zhuchkova advised to eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking.
You also need to undergo a medical examination, and if there are indications, a gastroscopy. The procedure is not pleasant, but it gives much more information about the state of the stomach than just an ultrasound. But not everyone can “swallow the gut”.
Read more about the earliest signs of stomach cancer here. By the way, if you suddenly began to quickly fill up even during a light snack, this can be an alarm signal.
