Stomach cancer: it's not a game
Introduction
Trust your gut feeling – because you know when something’s not right. If you have any of the symptoms below that won’t go away, get yourself checked as soon as you can.
It’s unlikely to be anything serious, but there is a chance it could be stomach cancer or, to give it its full name, oesophago-gastric cancer, as it can also affect the food pipe (oesophagus).
If it is, finding it early gives you the best chance of beating it.
Anyone can get stomach cancer but your chance of getting it is slightly higher:
- If you’re a man
- If you’re over 50
- If you have a brother, sister or parent who had stomach cancer
- If you have a long-term Heliobacter pylori infection
- If you have certain ongoing stomach conditions such as severe acid reflux, gastritis or pernicious anaemia
Signs and symptoms to look out for
Heartburn or acid reflux
Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
Feeling tired or having no energy
Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
Having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
A hoarse voice or a cough that hangs around
Pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing
What to do next
If you’ve noticed any of the signs or symptoms, contact your GP immediately. They’ll ask you some questions, examine you and probably refer you for a gastroscopy which looks inside your stomach for any problems.
The procedure takes just 10 to 15 minutes. It doesn’t hurt but may be uncomfortable so you may be given a local anaesthetic or sedation. A small sample of cells will be collected for testing (called a biopsy), and other nearby organs such as the food pipe and small intestine may also be examined.
