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\n<\/p><\/div>"} Consider if you have difficulty swallowing. If you are having difficulty swallowing, it is possible that this is being caused by a tumor at the junction of your esophagus and stomach.[5] X Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source A tumor here can obstruct food, causing dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Act if you have chronic nausea. In stomach cancer cases, obstructions may exist at the junction of the stomach and the intestine, blocking the passage of food. This could indicate a tumor at the junction of the stomach and intestine. The most obvious symptom that this is occurring will be chronic nausea and even vomiting.[6] X Research source Vomit in rare cases may be in streaked with blood. If you are vomiting and you see blood, make an appointment to see a doctor immediately.[7] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Consider more general cancer symptoms. You may experience more general symptoms that are not specifically related to your stomach, but can nevertheless indicate a problem and may suggest a more aggressive or progressive cancer growth. Be sure to check your lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes are a symptom of a number of illnesses. In the case of (stomach) cancer, cancer cells will travel from the stomach (or wherever the tumor is located) through the lymph

ducts, to the left axillary lymph nodes. This then causes swelling. Look out for signs of cachexia (decrease in muscle mass). Cancer cells will increase your basal metabolic rate, which will then result in a wasting of muscle. Loss of blood from the cancer can result in anemia, which may cause paleness and weakness. People with cancer may have chronic fatigue, a feeling of lethargy, or trouble staying alert.[8] X Research source Note increasing abdominal pain or discomfort. Pain or discomfort in the abdomen or stomach will intensify as a cancer progresses and a tumor grows. The pain associated with stomach cancer will generally increase in intensity over time, and will not subside with medication. Stomach tumors can compress surrounding structures, while ulcerative cancer can erode the stomach's membranes. Both of these two things can cause stomach pain. Evaluate your appetite. Cancer cells secrete substances that diminish the body's hunger signals. This, combined with a tumor tricking your stomach into feeling full, can lead to a distinct loss of appetite.[9] X Research source As a result, as cancer progresses, a patient can suffer severe weight loss. If you think you are losing

your appetite and losing weight for no reason, keep a record of your weight loss and talk to your doctor.[10] X Trustworthy Source Cancer Research UK U.K.-based cancer research and advocacy charity Go to source Checks for lumps and swelling in your stomach. Over time more fluid will build up in your stomach and you may begin to notice lumps and swelling in your stomach.[11] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source In cancer of the stomach, patients may feel a hard, irregular lump in the abdomen. This lump will move with breathing, and may fall forward when you bend over. A developed cancer may cause a hard mass in the left-upper abdomen in the area of the stomach.[12] X Research source Look for symptoms in your stool and changes in bowel patterns. When stomach cancer reaches more advanced stages, it can cause continuous bleeding, which is lost as excrement. This will result in bloody or black stools. Check for blood in your stools after going to the bathroom. Look to see if they are very dark, and black like tar.[13] X Trustworthy Source Cancer Research UK U.K.-based cancer research and advocacy charity Go to source If you

experience constipation or diarrhea, this can be a symptom of stomach cancer.[14] X Research source Always be completely open when discussing any symptoms in your waste with a doctor. Consider your age, gender and ethnicity. Some potential risk factors are to do with the healthiness of your lifestyle, but there are some things that you cannot influence or change. There is a significant increase in the rates of stomach cancer of those over 50, and most of those diagnosed are between 60 and 80 years old. Stomach cancer is also more common in men than in women. In the US, stomach cancer is more common in Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders than it is in non-Hispanic white Americans. People who live in Japan, China, Southern and Eastern Europe, and South and Central America are more likely to get stomach cancer than people who live elsewhere.[15] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Evaluate your lifestyle. There are significant potential risks associated with your lifestyle and diet. Smoking and drinking alcohol increase the risk of stomach cancer by introducing

harmful substances into the body. A diet low in fiber increases the risk of stomach cancer by lengthening the body's exposure time to the carcinogens present in food. Long-term consumption of salted, dried, and smoked food items with high levels of nitrates also elevates your risk.[16] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source It is thought that being overweight or obese may be a cause of cancers of the cardia (the upper part of the stomach). If you work in the coal, metal, or rubber industry, your risk of stomach cancer may be higher. Workers in these fields are exposed to more carcinogens than workers in other industries.[17] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Understand your personal and family medical history. Keep a close record of your personal medical history, and be aware of previous illnesses and treatments you may have had that could increase your chance of later developing stomach cancer. Be especially vigilant if you have a history of Helicobacter pylori infections, chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis,

pernicious anemia, or gastric polyps, as all of these conditions predispose you to stomach cancer.[18] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Stomach cancers are more likely to develop in those who have previously had part of their stomach removed in surgery. Stomach cancer runs in families, so find out about your family medical history. However, keep in mind that adopting lifestyle changes, such as following a healthier diet, can help to reduce your risk. If you have a close relative who was diagnosed with stomach cancer, you are at a greater risk than someone who has no family history of stomach cancer.[19] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Talk to your doctor. If you are unsure of, or worried about, your risk of developing stomach cancer, get in touch with your doctor. A doctor can help you evaluate your existing risk, as well as give you advice on modifying your lifestyle to help you lower your risk in the future. An early diagnosis can make a big difference to a prognosis, so act quickly if you

are concerned.[20] X Research source