Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer usually develops because of a mix of things over time. Often there is no single clear cause.

Lifestyle and health factors that can increase risk:

• Smoking

• Being overweight

• Diet over many years (for example, lots of very salty / processed foods)

Longer-term factors:

• H. pylori infection (a stomach infection)

• Long-term reflux or gastritis, or pernicious anaemia

• Getting older

• Close family history of stomach cancer

Having one or more risk factors does not mean someone will develop stomach cancer, it just means the chance may be higher.

You don’t need to panic, just notice what’s normal for you:

• Heartburn or acid reflux

• Indigestion (including burping a lot)

• Feeling full very quickly when eating

• Feeling or being sick

• Problems swallowing

• Loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, or low energy

When to get advice. See a GP if you have:

• Problems swallowing

• A lump in your tummy

• Lost a noticeable amount of weight

• Other symptoms that get worse or don’t get better after 3 weeks

• Indigestion / reflux symptoms not improving after 3 weeks of usual treatments

Tests for stomach cancer and next steps - NHS

For more information you can visit any of the links below.