I thought I would get better after taking medicine... Ignoring 'this symptom' led to stomach cancer

A man in his 70s, Mr. A, suffered from heartburn and indigestion for a year. He simply dismissed it as gastritis and took antacids to cope, but his bloating worsened, prompting him to visit a hospital. An endoscopy and biopsy revealed early-stage stomach cancer.

Stomach cancer is common among Koreans and its early symptoms are similar to those of gastric ulcers and gastritis, making it easy to overlook. If detected early, it can be cured with a 90% success rate. It is important to undergo testing when suspicious symptoms appear.

Stomach cancer ranks fourth among the most common cancers in our country, with a high number of patients. According to the National Cancer Information Center, as of 2021, the total number of stomach cancer patients was 29,361, which is not much different from the 35,303 cases of thyroid cancer, the most common cancer. The second most common, colon cancer, had 32,751 cases, and lung cancer had 31,610 cases. The incidence rate of stomach cancer in our country is higher than in Western countries, which is believed to be due to dietary habits. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily salt intake of 5 grams or less for adults, but most people in our country consume 15 to 20 grams per day. This is four times the recommended daily intake. Consuming salty foods repeatedly causes inflammation of the stomach lining, increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer.

In the early stages of stomach cancer, mild symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion may appear. Professor Kim Kyung-oh of the Gastroenterology Department at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Many patients endure early symptoms of stomach cancer with antacids or similar remedies, which can allow the disease to progress." He advised that if indigestion persists, it is best to seek specialist medical attention. As cancer advances, symptoms worsen. If the cancer develops at the entrance of the stomach, it becomes difficult to swallow food, and if it occurs at the exit, the pylorus, it can cause vomiting as the food cannot pass into the intestines. If blood vessels rupture, bleeding can occur, leading to vomiting blood or passing black stools, and anemia may develop. Symptoms such as weight loss, general malaise, nausea, loss of appetite, and black stools may also appear.

As with all cancers, the earlier it is detected, the higher the cure rate. For stomach cancer, stage 1 has a 90-95% cure rate, stage 2 about 75%, stage 3 between 25-50%, and stage 4 only 5-10%. Stomach cancer can be detected early through regular gastroscopy. If you are over 40, it is recommended to have a gastroscopy every two years.

Professor Kim Kyung-o said, "After the age of 40, if more than four years have passed, stomach cancer can be detected at an advanced stage," and "Young people in their 20s and 30s should not be complacent and should undergo screening every 2 to 3 years." In particular, regular check-ups are very important for high-risk groups. High-risk groups for stomach cancer include people who eat salty foods, those who carry Helicobacter pylori bacteria, smokers, and individuals with a family history.

Recently, endoscopic procedures have advanced, allowing treatment solely with endoscopy without open surgery when detected early. Patient A also successfully had cancer cells removed through endoscopic procedures and is currently recovering her health.

Professor Kim said, "Stomach cancer can be treated if detected early, but it is even more important to prevent it by improving daily lifestyle habits," and emphasized, "Eating fresh vegetables and fruits rather than salty foods from a young age is important." He also added, "It is advisable to avoid overeating and excessive drinking, and to engage in appropriate exercise and quit smoking."