Lee Joo-shil, the beloved South Korean actress best known for her role in ‘Squid Game Season 2’, has passed away at the age of 81. She died after a courageous battle with stomach cancer. Her agency confirmed the sad news. Lee had been fighting this illness for just three months before her passing. On the day of her death, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital.
Stomach cancer often presents with vague symptoms that can be easily overlooked. Read ahead to find out what are the first signs of it.
What Are The First Signs Of Stomach Cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute, the first signs of stomach cancer can often be vague and easily mistaken for less serious conditions. Some of the common early symptoms include the following.
- Nausea: Feeling like you want to throw up often.
- Vomiting: Throwing up, which may happen with or without blood.
- Change in Appetite: Not wanting to eat as much as usual.
- Swelling of the Abdomen: A bloated feeling or feeling full in your stomach.
- Heartburn: It is a burning feeling in the chest or throat.
- Indigestion: Discomfort or pain in your stomach area.
- Vague Discomfort: General discomfort above your belly button.
- Abdominal Pain: Ongoing pain or discomfort in your stomach.
- Early Satiety: Feeling full after eating only a little bit of food.
- Unintentional Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying to.
- Anaemia: Low levels of haemoglobin, which can make you feel tired.
Diagnosis Of Stomach Cancer
Diagnosing stomach cancer can be tricky. Just looking at symptoms isn't always enough. Many people don't notice symptoms until the cancer has progressed. Dr Abhinav Narwariya, Consultant - Medical Oncology, HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, emphasised that those with a family history of stomach cancer should be particularly careful. Some of the common diagnostics tests are mentioned below.
- Upper Endoscopy: A camera is used to examine the stomach and take samples.
- CT Scan: Provides images to check for cancer spread.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Combines endoscopy and ultrasound for deeper examination.
- PET Scan: Identifies cancer spread using a radioactive substance.
- MRI: Creates detailed images of soft tissues.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Stomach cancer treatment varies based on the cancer stage, the patient's overall health, and personal factors. According to Dr Nitish Ranjan Acharya, Surgical Oncology, HCG Panda Cancer Hospital, Cuttack, below are several treatment options.
- Surgery: This involves removing cancerous tissue from the stomach.
- Chemotherapy: Medications are used to kill or shrink cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays are employed to destroy cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: This focuses on specific pathways in cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the immune system to fight cancer more effectively.
Conclusion
If you notice any of these symptoms like ongoing abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, or big changes in your appetite it’s very important to see a doctor. Finding stomach cancer early can make treatment much easier and more effective. Only a doctor can run the right tests to find out what’s causing your symptoms. However, it is always advised to consult a doctor in case of any problem.