Gastric Cancer

Home » Gastric Cancer » Risk Factors and Causes, Signs and Symptoms

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition
(Free Handout)

Risk Factors and Causes

The cause of stomach cancer is unknown. Age and gender are risk factors and the disease is more common in men over the age of 55.

A diet high in salt and nitrates and low in vitamins A and C increases the risk for stomach cancer. Other dietary risk factors include food preparation (e.g., preserving food by smoking, salt-curing, pickling, or drying) and environment (e.g., lack of refrigeration, poor drinking water). A diet high in raw fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits, and fiber may lower the risk for stomach cancer.

Medical conditions that increase the risk for the disease include pernicious anemia (vitamin B-12 deficiency), chronic inflammation of the stomach (atrophic gastritis), and intestinal polyps (noncancerous growths).

Genetic (hereditary) risk factors include hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome (conditions that result in a predisposition to cancer), and a family history of gastrointestinal cancer. People with type A blood also have an increased risk for stomach cancer.

Acquired (not present at birth) risk factors include the following:

• Cigarette smoking
• Infection with Heliobacter pylori bacteria (a bacteria related to stomach ulcers) or Epstein-Barr virus
• Obesity
• Occupational factors (e.g., working in rubber and coal industries)
• Personal history of gastrointestinal cancer, previous abdominal radiation, or stomach surgery

Signs and Symptoms

Early stomach cancer usually does not cause symptoms (i.e., is asymptomatic). Symptoms usually indicate advanced disease and include the following:

• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Blood in stool
• Bloating (especially after eating)
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss

Gastric Cancer, Risk Factors and Causes, Signs and Symptoms reprinted with permission from oncologychannel.com
© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gastric Cancer Resources

	Join Our Gastric Cancer Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? Take this test. Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer