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Again, abdominal pain is extremely common.
Ulcers, gastritis, reflux, gallbladder problems, food intolerances and many other conditions can cause similar sensations.
What matters is the pattern.
Pain that is new, persistent, worsening or associated with other symptoms deserves medical attention.
Don’t try to diagnose the cause yourself based solely on where the pain occurs.
6. Nausea or vomiting
Feeling sick can occur with many ordinary illnesses.
However, persistent nausea or vomiting should not be ignored.
The NCI lists mild nausea among possible early symptoms and vomiting among symptoms that can occur with more advanced stomach cancer.
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Institut National du Cancer
If vomiting persists, prevents you from keeping fluids down or occurs with severe abdominal pain, bleeding or other concerning symptoms, prompt medical assessment is important.
7. Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, medically known as dysphagia, is another symptom that should be evaluated.
It may occur when a tumor is located near the upper part of the stomach or where the stomach meets the esophagus.
But there are many other causes of swallowing difficulties, including reflux-related problems and disorders of the esophagus.
The NHS specifically recommends medical evaluation for problems with swallowing.
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nhs.uk
This is not a symptom to simply live with indefinitely.
8. Blood in the stool or black stools
Bleeding in the digestive tract can sometimes cause blood to appear in the stool.
Blood may be obvious, but bleeding higher in the digestive system can also make stools appear unusually dark or black.
The NCI lists blood in the stool among symptoms that can occur with advanced stomach cancer.
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Institut National du Cancer
However, gastrointestinal bleeding can have many causes, including ulcers and other conditions.
If you notice blood in your stool or unusually black stools, seek medical advice rather than assuming the cause.
9. Unusual tiredness
Feeling exhausted all the time can have countless causes.
Poor sleep, stress, anemia, infections, nutritional deficiencies and many chronic conditions can contribute to fatigue.
With stomach cancer, bleeding can sometimes contribute to anemia, which may cause tiredness or weakness. The NCI notes that doctors may use blood tests to check for anemia when investigating possible stomach cancer.
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Institut National du Cancer
Persistent unexplained fatigue is therefore another reason to have your health evaluated, particularly when it appears alongside digestive symptoms or weight loss.
Who is at greater risk?
Anyone can develop stomach cancer, but certain factors increase the risk.
One of the most important is infection with Helicobacter pylori, commonly called H. pylori.
Long-term H. pylori infection can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and is a major risk factor for certain types of stomach cancer. Treating an H. pylori infection can reduce the risk of these cancers.
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Institut National du Cancer
Other risk factors include increasing age, smoking, obesity, certain chronic stomach conditions, family history and particular inherited cancer syndromes.
Diet may also play a role. Diets high in salted, smoked or poorly preserved foods have been associated with increased risk, while lower consumption of fruits and vegetables is also identified as a risk factor.
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Institut National du Cancer
Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop cancer.
Likewise, people without obvious risk factors can still develop the disease.
When should you see a doctor?
The biggest mistake is to assume that every digestive symptom is either harmless or cancer.
Neither assumption is appropriate.
Instead, pay attention to symptoms that are persistent, worsening, unusual for you or accompanied by other warning signs.
The NHS advises seeking medical evaluation for symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, a lump in the abdomen, noticeable unexplained weight loss, or digestive symptoms that worsen or fail to improve.
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nhs.uk
You don’t need to diagnose yourself before making an appointment.
That’s the healthcare professional’s job.
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
If a doctor believes your symptoms require further investigation, they may ask about your medical and family history and perform a physical examination.
Blood tests can be used to look for anemia, and stool testing may check for hidden blood.
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Institut National du Cancer
One of the main diagnostic procedures is an upper endoscopy.
During an endoscopy, a doctor uses a thin flexible instrument with a camera to examine the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.