The American Cancer Society estimates that 27,510 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed this year and more than 11,000 people will die from stomach cancer. November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, which means it’s a good time to increase your knowledge about the disease and its symptoms, so that you know what to watch for in your aging relative.
Stomach Cancer Risk Factors
Stomach cancer typically starts in the cells of the stomach lining that produce mucus. There are two main kinds of stomach cancer, cancer that occurs in the part of the stomach where the esophagus meets the top of the stomach (the gastroesophageal junction) and cancer that starts in the main part of the stomach.
While doctors know that cancer occurs when the DNA of cells is damaged, the reason the mutation happens is unknown. However, they have identified some factors that increase the chances of a person getting stomach cancer. In people who have cancer at the gastroesophageal junction, there are two main risk factors:
Most people don’t experience symptoms during the early stages of stomach cancer. As the disease advances, people with stomach cancer may experience symptoms such as:
Should your aging relative be diagnosed with stomach cancer, you can rely on elderly care to help them remain more comfortable at home and assist them through cancer treatment. An elderly care provider can offer emotional support, companionship, and distraction to keep the senior focused on the positive rather than dwelling on their diagnosis. Elderly care providers can also do things like drive the older adult to treatment appointments, keep the house clean, make meals, and remind the older adult to take medications when it is time.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/stomach-gastric-cancer#1
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN CHICAGO, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
Stomach Cancer Risk Factors
Stomach cancer typically starts in the cells of the stomach lining that produce mucus. There are two main kinds of stomach cancer, cancer that occurs in the part of the stomach where the esophagus meets the top of the stomach (the gastroesophageal junction) and cancer that starts in the main part of the stomach.
While doctors know that cancer occurs when the DNA of cells is damaged, the reason the mutation happens is unknown. However, they have identified some factors that increase the chances of a person getting stomach cancer. In people who have cancer at the gastroesophageal junction, there are two main risk factors:
- History of GERD.
- Obesity.
- Eating a diet high in salt and smoked foods.
- Eating few fruits and vegetables.
- Family history that includes stomach cancer.
- Being infected with Helicobacter Pylori.
- Chronic inflammation of the stomach.
- Smoking.
- Stomach polyps.
- Pernicious anemia.
Most people don’t experience symptoms during the early stages of stomach cancer. As the disease advances, people with stomach cancer may experience symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- A feeling of discomfort in the abdomen above the belly button.
- Heartburn or indigestion.
- Feeling full in the upper part of the abdomen after eating a small amount of food.
- Vomiting.
- Bloody stool.A build up of fluid in the abdomen, causing swelling.
Should your aging relative be diagnosed with stomach cancer, you can rely on elderly care to help them remain more comfortable at home and assist them through cancer treatment. An elderly care provider can offer emotional support, companionship, and distraction to keep the senior focused on the positive rather than dwelling on their diagnosis. Elderly care providers can also do things like drive the older adult to treatment appointments, keep the house clean, make meals, and remind the older adult to take medications when it is time.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/stomach-gastric-cancer#1
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN CHICAGO, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.