Everyone experiences stomach pain and discomfort from time to time, thanks to tummy bugs or eating something that didn’t agree with them. But if you’ve been noticing persistent or worsening stomach issues, you may start to wonder if you need to be concerned, and it can be easy to jump to worst-case scenarios like stomach cancer.
The important thing to know is that if you’re experiencing any strange symptoms, it’s likely not cancer. In fact, stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is pretty uncommon, accounting for just 1.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States each year. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore any discomfort you’re feeling.
Read on to learn more about possible signs and symptoms of stomach cancer. Plus, learn about the possible causes of stomach cancer and when to get help with stomach symptoms you’re experiencing.
Signs of stomach cancer may not be noticeable early on
Stomach cancer develops slowly, which is why so many people don’t experience any symptoms. And if they do, early signs and symptoms of stomach cancer can look a lot like other health conditions, such as acid reflux.
Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the stomach. In the U.S., it most commonly occurs in the gastroesophageal junction where the esophagus connects to the stomach. But in other areas of the world, it’s more regularly found in the main part of the stomach where food breaks down.
Stomach cancer starts when small changes occur in the DNA of the stomach cells, causing them to over-multiply. As these cells accumulate, they can form abnormal cancerous growths called tumors.
Early symptoms of stomach cancer
The first noticeable symptoms of stomach cancer can include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- A feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food
- Changes in appetite
- Discomfort in the area above the belly button
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
Symptoms of more advanced stomach cancer
As stomach cancer advances, it can also cause more severe symptoms, such as:
- Anemia (where the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry the amount of oxygen it needs)
- Blood in the stool or stool that’s darker than usual
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drastic, unexplained or unintentional weight loss
- Jaundice (a liver condition that can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Severe stomach pain
- Visible swelling in the abdomen
- Vomiting, with or without blood
What does stomach cancer feel like?
Symptoms of stomach cancer can be difficult to notice, especially in the beginning. You may attribute symptoms like heartburn, nausea or fatigue due to a big meal or a busy day. But if the symptoms aren’t going away or are getting worse over time, make an appointment with your primary care doctor.
Later symptoms are more painful and noticeable, and a dull stomachache can turn into a sharper, more persistent pain. In addition, a person’s clothes may feel tighter than usual due to abdominal swelling and fluid buildup. And nausea and fatigue might increase, which can greatly affect daily life.
Is abdominal swelling a stomach cancer symptom?
When cancer occurs in the stomach, there can be a buildup of fluid called ascites, which causes abdominal swelling. It occurs in about 18% of people diagnosed with gastric cancer and isn’t usually one of the first signs.
Causes and risk factors of stomach cancer
When it comes to stomach cancer, there aren’t many identifiable causes. Scientists think it happens when there’s a mutation in the DNA of the stomach cells. They aren’t exactly sure why this mutation happens, but they’ve identified genetic and lifestyle risk factors that can increase chances of stomach cancer:
- A family history of stomach cancer
- Being 65 and older (around 60% of stomach cancer in the U.S. happens to older people)
- Being male
- Being overweight
- Certain genetic conditions, like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (both hereditary forms of colon cancer)
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating a diet high in salty and smoked foods, and low in fruits and vegetables
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as chronic acid reflux
- Having an H. pylori infection, a common bacteria that can infect the stomach lining and contribute to cancer development
- History of stomach polyps or stomach ulcers
- Smoking
- Stomach inflammation
If you’re experiencing symptoms, they’re probably not caused by stomach cancer. Still, you’ll want to see your doctor to find out what’s causing them and start treatment as soon as possible. If you’re at higher risk of stomach cancer, your doctor may recommend screening for stomach cancer before you have any symptoms, so make sure you let them know about your risk factors.
At your appointment, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Other tests may include:
- An upper endoscopy – This is the most common test for stomach cancer. Your doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera into your mouth until it reaches your stomach. During this procedure, they can also remove a tissue sample for testing (this is called a biopsy).
- Endoscopic ultrasound – This can determine the stage of your cancer. It can also take pictures of the inside of your stomach to show if cancer has spread.
- Imaging tests – Tests like X-rays and ultrasounds can help identify tumors that may be cancerous and how far the cancer has spread.
- A barium swallow study – If you’re getting X-rays, your doctor may ask you to do a barium swallow study. During the test, you drink a thick, chalky liquid (barium) that coats the inside of your stomach. The barium outlines the shape of your stomach on X-rays, making it easier for your doctor to see if anything looks different than it should.
- Blood tests – These can’t detect stomach cancer, but they can find changes in the blood that may be caused by cancer. They can also measure how other organs are functioning. If they’re not functioning properly, it may be a sign that cancer has spread beyond the stomach.
Preventing stomach cancer starts with addressing risk factors
There are things you can do at home to reduce your chance of developing stomach cancer and improve your overall health, including:
- Treating stomach conditions promptly – It’s important to follow any treatment plan for stomach conditions, because if they’re left untreated, they can increase your risk for stomach cancer. This is especially true if you test positive for H. pylori, which increases cancer risk in the lower and middle parts of the stomach.
- Eating less salty and smoked foods – It may be easier to reach for prepackaged or fast food, but a diet high in salty and smoked foods increases your risk of stomach cancer. To reduce your risk, cut down on consuming overprocessed foods, try eating more fruits and vegetables, and pick lean meats, like chicken or turkey, over red meat.
- Greatly reducing or quitting tobacco use – Smoking can more than double your risk of stomach cancer. Tobacco use can irritate the lining of your stomach, which can damage the cells and cause genetic changes. It can also reduce the effectiveness of H. pylori treatment. If you need help quitting, reach out to your doctor. HealthPartners insurance members can also get no-cost support from a health coach to help them quit and stay tobacco free.
- Exercising regularly – Exercise lowers your risk for many conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, obesity and stomach cancer. Adults who get the recommended amount of exercise reduce their risk of stomach cancer by 50%. And those who go beyond the recommended amount of exercise can reduce their risk even further.
- Being at the right weight for you – Your risk of stomach cancer and other conditions like GERD is higher if you’re very overweight. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are good first steps, but it’s not always easy to manage your weight, even if you do everything right. If you struggle with your weight, talk to your doctor for other recommendations, such as talking to a nutritionist or medical weight loss specialist.
Talk with your doctor about stomach symptoms that don’t go away
Everyone experiences the occasional stomach ache, heartburn, indigestion and changes in appetite. In many cases, it’s fine to take an antacid and move on. But if you have these symptoms frequently, or they don’t go away, it’s time to get help.
Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. They can take a look at your symptoms, make a diagnosis and get you started on treatment as soon as possible. If needed, they’ll refer you to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or oncologist for additional treatment.
