Aunt Zhang has always been a health role model in the neighborhood, eating regularly, going to bed early and getting up early every day, and often attending health lectures in the community.
But lately, she has been feeling a dull ache in her upper abdomen, especially after eating.
She began to think that her stomach problem had been committed again, after all, it was normal for her to have a little stomach discomfort when she was older. But as time went on, the feeling did not go away, but became more and more severe.
"How could I be like this?" Aunt Zhang muttered to herself, her heart full of confusion and uneasiness. She began to wonder if she had some serious illness, but she didn't dare to go to the hospital for a check-up, for fear that something would really go wrong.
In fact, Aunt Zhang's situation is not unique. Many middle-aged and elderly people often have no obvious symptoms or only some mild discomfort in the early stages of stomach cancer, so it is easy to overlook. By the time symptoms become apparent, it is often already advanced.
So, is it true that stomach cancer can't be detected early? As long as we carefully observe the abnormal signals of the body and go to the hospital for examination in time, it is possible to detect stomach cancer at an early stage, thereby improving the cure rate and quality of life.
01
In recent years, the incidence of gastric cancer has increased year by year and has become a global health problem. According to global cancer statistics, gastric cancer is one of the more common malignant tumors worldwide.
Especially in the mainland, the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer remain high. This is mainly related to a variety of reasons such as our eating habits, living environment, and genetic factors.
But the good news is that the cure rate for early-stage stomach cancer is much higher than at the advanced stage. Studies have found that the five-year survival rate of patients with early-stage gastric cancer can reach more than 90% after surgical treatment, while the five-year survival rate of patients with advanced gastric cancer is significantly reduced. Therefore, early detection and treatment of gastric cancer is particularly important.
02
In many cases, there is no obvious pain or other serious symptoms in the early stages of stomach cancer. However, there will be some subtle abnormal signals in the body, which may be the early symptoms of stomach cancer.
01, Epigastric pain
The first is epigastric pain. This is one of the most common symptoms of stomach cancer. It may be mild pain or discomfort at first, but it may gradually worsen as the condition progresses.
If this pain persists or gets worse, it is important to go to the hospital for a check-up in time.
02. Heartburn, acid reflux
These symptoms are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but they can also be early symptoms of stomach cancer. If you often experience heartburn, acid reflux and other uncomfortable sensations, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
03. Frequent stomach pain
Unlike ordinary stomach pain, stomach pain caused by stomach cancer may have no apparent pattern and last longer. If this happens, be sure to be alert to the possibility of stomach cancer.
04. A hard lump in the abdomen
If you can feel a hard, painful lump in your abdomen, it may be one of the advanced symptoms of stomach cancer. In this case, you should see a doctor immediately to confirm the diagnosis and seek appropriate treatment.
In addition to the above four abnormal signals, there are some other symptoms that may also indicate the occurrence of gastric cancer, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, etc.
Although these symptoms do not necessarily represent stomach cancer, if they persist or worsen, it is important to see a doctor for a check-up.
03
The formation of gastric cancer does not happen overnight, but is the result of a combination of factors.
01. Helicobacter pylori infection
One of the most important factors is Helicobacter pylori infection, a bacterium classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, which increases the risk of stomach cancer by colonizing the gastric mucosa and destroying the protective lining of the gastric mucosa.
If there is a history of Helicobacter pylori infection or related symptoms (such as stomach pain, bloating, etc.), it is important to treat it promptly and have regular follow-ups.
02. Irregular work and rest
In addition, irregular work and rest are also an important cause of stomach cancer. Modern people's life is fast-paced and stressful, and problems such as staying up late and working overtime or insomnia will lead to endocrine disorders and decreased immunity, thus laying hidden dangers for the occurrence of stomach cancer.
We should maintain good work and rest habits, ensure adequate sleep and rest time, so as to improve the body's immunity and prevent the occurrence of diseases.
03. Long-term smoking and drinking
Long-term smoking and drinking can also cause strong irritation and damage to the gastric mucosa, thereby increasing the risk of stomach cancer. We should try to avoid or reduce our intake of tobacco and alcohol to maintain good health
04. Eating habits
Diet is also one of the important factors affecting the incidence of gastric cancer. In order to reduce the risk of gastric cancer, we should try to avoid or eat less fried barbecue foods, because these foods contain a large number of carcinogens such as benzopyrene, which can easily stimulate the stomach and increase the incidence of gastric cancer.
At the same time, it is also necessary to reduce the intake of foods that are heavy in oil and salt, because people who eat a diet high in oil and salt will have an increased risk of stomach cancer compared to the normal population;
Red meat and processed meat should also be eaten sparingly, as excessive red meat intake can significantly increase the risk of stomach cancer;
Although stomach cancer is terrible, as long as we carefully observe the abnormal signals of the body, adjust our lifestyle habits and dietary structure in time, and have regular physical examinations and screenings, it is possible to detect and cure stomach cancer early!