Six warning signs of stomach cancer revealed

Loss of appetite, feeling sick and lacking in energy are warning signs of stomach cancer.

There are around 4,200 deaths from stomach tumors in the UK each year, Cancer Research says, while there are around 11,130 in the US.

But the symptoms of cancer can be difficult to detect, according to the NHS.

This week, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber shared the ‘devastating’ news that his eldest son Nicholas, 43, is ‘gravely ill’ in hospital battling gastric cancer.

Following the 74-year-old’s heartbreaking statement, MailOnline reveals the warning signs of stomach cancer.

Indigestion

Indigestion usually goes away on its own.

But if you find it’s long-lasting, it may be a sign of cancer, experts say.

It is often caused by stomach acid irritating the lining of the stomach or throat, called acid reflux.

This is common and usually not caused by cancer, with certain foods and drinks, stress, or medications often acting as triggers.

But it can also be a sign that the cancer has spread to the tissue lining the abdomen, which can cause a buildup of fluid, says Cancer Research UK.

The NHS recommends seeing your doctor if you have had heartburn on most days for three weeks or more.

without energy

Feeling tired all the time and getting out of breath could be a warning sign of stomach cancer.

This is because fatigue can be caused by low levels of red blood cells, according to Cancer Research.

Early and advanced stomach cancer can bleed into the stomach, reducing the number of red blood cells over time.

This can make patients feel tired, weak, and short of breath because their blood carries less oxygen. It can also cause blood in the stool, which can appear darker and almost black.

A lack of red blood cells can also cause skin and heart palpitations, according to the NHS.

Weightloss

Losing weight when you don’t try is a common sign of cancer.

With stomach cancer, this could be for a number of reasons, including loss of appetite and feeling full after eating only small amounts, according to Cancer Research.

This can be caused by a tumor in or around parts of the gastrointestinal tract, says the American Cancer Society.

Or it could be due to cachexia – changes in the way the body uses protein, carbohydrates and fat, leading to loss of fat and muscle due to serious illness.

In cancer patients, doctors believe that cachexia is caused by chemicals released by tumors.

But unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of many different types of cancer.

And it can occur in the advanced stages of other diseases, such as heart and kidney disease, as well as HIV.

Along with cancer, it can occur in advanced stages of the disease, such as heart and kidney disease, as well as HIV. Scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms behind cachexia.

Difficulty to swallow

Stomach cancer can cause difficulty swallowing.

A tumor in or around the stomach may cause pain and a burning sensation when swallowing.

It can also cause food to stick in the throat or chest, according to Cancer Research UK.

Difficulty swallowing can also lead to weight loss, simply because you can’t eat enough.

Although other conditions, such as acid reflux, can cause these symptoms, experts recommend that people who have difficulty swallowing get checked out by a doctor.

Feeling sick

Feeling and being sick can be caused by many diseases, but it is also a warning sign of stomach cancer.

Cancer can cause a blockage in the stomach, making it difficult to keep food down, says Cancer Research.

This blockage prevents food from passing through your digestive system, which can make you feel sick.

The cancer charity says that although there is rarely blood in the vomit, if it is red, it could be a sign of recent bleeding.

But, if it’s dark brown in color “like used coffee grounds,” it could mean the blood has been in the stomach for a while, experts say.

Stomach cancer can cause a blockage in the stomach, making it difficult to keep food down, Cancer Research says. The blockage prevents food from passing through your digestive system, which can make you feel sick.

A bulge in the upper part of the belly

A lump or pain in the upper abdomen is a sign of stomach cancer, the NHS warns.

This pain or lump could be a sign that the cancer has spread to the tissue lining the abdomen.

The resulting buildup of fluid in the lining of the abdomen, called ascites, can make you feel bloated or your clothes feel tighter.

The lump or swelling can make it uncomfortable to sit, move, and eat, which can lead to a loss of appetite.