Cases of stomach cancer are rising in India. This can be due to factors such as unhealthy lifestyle choices, stress, genetic predisposition, and junk food consumption.
Stomach cancer starts in stomach lining cells. Slowly developing over years, its early symptoms may be vague or undetectable. Cancer might spread to other gastrointestinal organs and regions. It can spread to other organs if neglected. This article explains why stomach cancer is rising in India.
Experts say the rise in stomach cancer cases in India is due to bad lifestyle choices, stress, genetic susceptibility, and junk food consumption. Healthcare specialists also attribute the country’s high stomach cancer rates to dietary habits like a penchant for spicy and preserved foods and alcohol consumption.
Stomach cancer is most common in people over 50, with an average diagnosis age of 60. Men have a little higher frequency than women due to lifestyle variables including smoking and alcohol intake, said Dr. Puneet Dhar, HoD, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
In places with more spicy, salty, or preserved meals, incidence rates are greater. He said that hormonal and genetic variables may also be involved, but further research is needed.
Stomach cancer symptoms:
Constant abdominal ache
Unexpected weight reduction
Appetite loss
Trouble swallowing
Nausea
Vomiting
Bloody stoolThe experts advised high-risk patients to get regular testing for early-stage stomach cancer, which may not show symptoms.
Stomach cancer types
Different stages of stomach cancer have different prognoses. Stomach cancers include
Adenocarcinoma
Lymphoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumorsUnfortunately, stomach cancer is generally found late, increasing mortality.
“The epidemiology of gastric cancer suggests that a combination of genetic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors in a region determines its presentation. Gastric cancer is linked to smoking, alcohol, nitrates, and Helicobacter pylori infection, according to Dr. Harish Verma, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram.
The high incidence of local and distant recurrence even in patients with completely resectable gastric cancer indicates early systemic spread of cancer, emphasizing the need for multimodality treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Gastric cancer has decreased worldwide, especially in industrialized countries, due to improved food cleanliness, sanitation, and preservation. Some places of India have not seen this decline. Verma added dietary differences and tobacco and alcohol use may be risk factors.
To reduce stomach cancer, specialists recommended healthier diets, avoiding preserved food, and lifestyle modifications.
They also advised eating a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, minimizing processed and preserved foods, stopping smoking, regulating alcohol intake, and getting frequent medical checkups, especially for those with a family history or concerns.
Conclusion
Gastric cancer occurs slowly over many years and can spread to other areas of the stomach and adjacent organs. Indian stomach cancer rates are rising due to poor lifestyles, stress, hereditary predisposition, and junk food consumption. Food preferences, especially spicy and preserved foods, and alcohol consumption contribute to the country’s high stomach cancer rates.
Stomach cancer usually develops after 50, with an average diagnostic age of 60. Men have a somewhat higher frequency due to lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol intake. Where spicy, salty, or preserved foods are eaten, incidence rates are greater. Further research is needed to determine if hormonal and genetic variables are involved.
Adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) have different prognoses depending on stage. The high rate of local and distant recurrence even in completely resectable gastric cancer patients implies early systemic dissemination, stressing the necessity for multimodality treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
