Heartburn is a painful or burning feeling that begins under the breastbone
and may spread into the throat. In addition, heartburn sufferers may experience
a sour or acidic taste. Those who experience occasional heartburn should not
worry. In fact, it is estimated that more than half the population experience
some level of heartburn once a month. Meanwhile, 15% of the population has severe
pain that requires medication. Individuals with heartburn should be aware that
this condition does not necessary point to cancer. Other conditions such as
acid reflux or eating spicy foods may result in heartburn.
Loss of Appetite
Experiencing occasional loss of appetite is no reason to be concerned.
Often, daily worries and concerns may decrease a person’s appetite. Moreover,
those who lead busy lives may forget to eat a meal. However, those who notice a
major change in their appetite, and who exhibit one or both of the previous
symptoms should visit their physicians to be screen for stomach cancer.
Once stomach cancer has advanced, symptoms may include:
Blood in Stool
Vomiting
Weight Loss
Abdominal Pain
Fatigue
What is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer begins with the development of abnormal cells in the abdomen.
As the cells continue to grow, a mass or tumor forms. Initially, the tumor is
small, thus symptoms are not always present in the early stages. However, as
the tumor is allowed to grow, victims may gradually experience more tell-tale
signs of a problem. Left untreated, the cancerous cells may spread to organs
and other parts of body. The survival rate of cancer that is detected in the
early stages is high. The stomach is a huge organ, thus small tumors and
cancerous growth can usually be killed or removed before the cancer starts to
spread.