03/07/2025
Gastric cancer, or cancer of the stomach, is more common than many realise. The most common form in the Western world is adenocarcinoma, while gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) occur slightly less often.
What makes gastric cancer particularly challenging is that most people have no symptoms in the early stages. When signs do appear, they may include feeling full quickly, unexplained weight loss, fatigue from anaemia, abdominal discomfort, or more serious symptoms like vomiting blood or passing black stools.
Risk factors include male gender, obesity, alcohol use, Helicobacter pylori infection, certain inherited conditions (such as CDH1 mutation, Lynch syndrome, and FAP), and regular intake of preserved, smoked or salted foods.
If you're experiencing ongoing symptoms or have concerns about your risk, it’s worth having a proper assessment. I can help guide you through the process and discuss any appropriate investigations or next steps.