November Is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

This November, remember that it is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. The nonprofit organization No Stomach For Cancer founded Stomach Cancer Awareness Month in 2010 and noted that the United States Surgeon General had declared Thanksgiving as National Family History Day since 2004. No Stomach For Cancer stated that National Family History Day is an excellent reminder to everybody of the hereditary risks for stomach cancer, which is one of the significant risks.

No Stomach For Cancer has also set some goals for Stomach Cancer Awareness Month that include raising awareness about risk factors, prevention, and early detection of stomach cancer. The organization hopes to raise funds for stomach cancer research and encourage people and groups to observe and support Stomach Cancer Awareness Month.

According to No Stomach For Cancer, the 1st annual No Stomach For Cancer Walk, a global walk to raise awareness about stomach cancer, was held in 2012. Participants included 35 states across the nation as well as ten other countries in the world.

Keep in mind that certain signs of stomach cancer are somewhat subtle, possibly including fatigue or weight loss. Other common symptoms could include:

Persistent nausea
Stomach pain
Repeated heartburn
Severe indigestion
Feeling bloated or full after eating small portions

Some instances of stomach cancer can result in a total gastrectomy, which is complete removal of the stomach. Such procedures may be required for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), which involves stomach cancer cells scattered throughout the stomach and almost impossible to detect at an early stage.

No Stomach For Cancer states that stomach cancer is the fifth-most common type of cancer worldwide, but is the second-most common cause of cancer death globally. There are more than 1 million new cases every year globally, with about 28,000 new cases in the United States, and 10,000 Americans, as well as 782,000 people worldwide, will die from stomach cancer in 2019.

About one in every 111 men and women will be diagnosed with stomach cancer in their lifetime, according to No Stomach For Cancer. The overall five-year survival rate for people living with stomach cancer is 29.3 percent, but the five-year survival rate is only 4 percent for Stage IV stomach cancer patients.

Some of the biggest risks of stomach cancer are tobacco use and obesity, but diets that are low in fruits and vegetables or high in smoked, salted, or pickled foods can also be problematic. People are also more likely to have stomach cancer when they are older than 50 years of age, are male, and have type A blood.

Contact GastroCare LI

GastroCare LI provides knowledgeable, compassionate care for those with stomach cancer and other ailments. Schedule a consultation with an experienced New York gastroenterologist by calling (516) 265-7049 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.