National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

November is National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. As with many of our articles, we seek to educate the community about common health ailments. We frequently post about cancer awareness because 1 in 2 people in their life will develop a type of cancer. This number has increased in recent years because people are living longer, and cancer tends to happen in people who are older. Cancer is usually a mutation in the replication of cells that leads to a tumor, or a mass of these irregular cells that steal nutrients from surrounding organs. Continue reading for more information about gastric cancer.

Celebrities with Stomach Cancer

It is important to remember that celebrities are people too, and are not immune to diseases. There are some celebrities who have been diagnosed or passed away from stomach cancer. These celebrities are; Fred Rogers, Liz Claiborne, Ken Watanabe, John Wayne, Napoleon Bonaparte, James Baldwin, Enrico Fermi, and Gertrude Stein.

What is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is a tumor found in the stomach. It may grow slowly, or take on a more aggressive role. There are several factors which may be indicators of people who are higher at risk for developing gastric cancer. These factors include being obese, working with known carcinogens, being a smoker, genetic factors and any exposure to asbestos You may at a higher risk if you have had stomach polyps before.

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

There are a few symptoms that are associated with people who have stomach cancer. These symptoms are feelings of nausea, being bloated, indigestion, heartburn, a loss in appetite, weight loss, stomach pain, stomach swelling, and vomiting. Please let your doctor know if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer

There are a few treatment options for stomach cancer, although they all differ based on the severity of the stages. There may be options to remove part of the stomach, chemotherapy drugs, and radiation. Unfortunately, in many cases, cancer will spread to surrounding lymph nodes or metastasize to other parts of the body.

Final Thoughts

Do you or someone you know have stomach cancer? Do you know someone who is a cancer survivor? Comment your story below.