| At one time, stomach cancer was the most | | | | abdominal pain, especially after eating. Other |
| common type of cancer known in the United | | | | symptoms include bleeding, weight loss and |
| States. As the years progressed, the disease | | | | general weakness. Patients who experience early |
| became less common among patients. While there | | | | fullness when eating should also be on alert as this |
| are no definitive answers as to why, it's thought | | | | may be a symptom of the stomach's inability to |
| to be related to the decline in salted or smoked | | | | expand due to the presence of a tumor. If left |
| food intake. Even with the decline in cases, this | | | | untreated, the cancer cells can spread quickly to |
| disease still presents a serious problem throughout | | | | other parts of the body and cause even further |
| the nation and the rest of the world. | | | | damage. Part of the problem is that, like many |
| While studies are unclear, some experts | | | | other illnesses, the symptoms sound very similar |
| recommend a balanced diet to fighting against | | | | to those of other ailments. The presence of one |
| cancer development. In addition, researchers | | | | or more of these does not necessarily confirm |
| believe that damaged DNA in the stomach cells | | | | the presence of cancer, but it should cause the |
| may lead to cancer. A large majority of individuals | | | | individual to be alert to the possibility. |
| are infected by a bacteria known as H. pylori, | | | | Studies show that men are twice as likely to |
| which resides in the stomach. It is unknown how | | | | develop stomach cancer and is most common in |
| this bacteria is transmitted, but it is believed to be | | | | individuals from age 40 to 80. This disease is |
| spread from individuals or through drinking water. | | | | rarely present in individuals 40 years of ago or |
| H. pylori causes ulcers and may also be a leading | | | | younger. In addition, the use of tobacco and |
| cause of stomach cancer. | | | | alcohol are perhaps the most obvious cancer |
| Foods, which include nitrates, are also of concern | | | | causing agents. Studies have shown that both |
| among cancer researchers. Foods such as hot | | | | men and woman are more likely to develop |
| dogs, certain deli meats, bacon and ham contain | | | | stomach cancer if they smoke. Other factors, |
| substances known to cause stomach cancer, as | | | | including family history and obesity, can encourage |
| does red meat, and smoked or salted foods. | | | | the development of stomach cancer. |
| Certain foods are believed to protect against | | | | This article should not be construed as |
| stomach cancer, including fruits or vegetables. | | | | professional medical advice. If you, or someone |
| Items such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and | | | | that you know, is concerned about the possibility |
| carrots are especially helpful in the prevention of | | | | of cancer, you should seek medical attention |
| this disease. | | | | immediately. A medical doctor can discuss various |
| Perhaps one of the most troubling facts about | | | | options, prevention and treatment possibilities |
| the disease is that stomach cancer is difficult to | | | | should the presence of cancer be detected. A |
| diagnose. A cancerous tumor may be quite large | | | | series of tests may be conducted in order to |
| by the time that it is diagnosed due to the lack of | | | | confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis and can |
| symptoms associated with stomach cancer. When | | | | only be done by a medical doctor. |
| present, the most common signs include upper | | | | |