Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief S Somnath recently spoke about his colon cancer diagnosis and his recovery journey in an interview. S Somnath said he noticed a growth in his stomach on the day of the launch of solar mission Aditya-L1. “I did a scan in the morning on the day Aditya-L1 was launched. Then I realized that my stomach had grown. I got clues about it as soon as it was launched,” the ISRO chief said in a Malayalam interview with Tarmac media house. Once the problem was confirmed, he underwent operation and chemotherapy and is now ‘cured’ of stomach cancer caused by a hereditary condition. (Also read: Reduce the risk of cancer with these easy lifestyle changes)
“After Aditya-L1, I was advised to undergo surgery. Operation was done. After that, I had chemotherapy,” he said.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a growth of cells that begins in the lining of the stomach and can be caused by faulty lifestyle choices such as smoking and a diet of highly processed or salty foods. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and in India, the incidence of stomach cancer has been increasing in the last decade due to factors such as sedentary lifestyle, eating salty and processed foods.
Know why stomach cancer is considered fatal?
“The stomach is the organ that holds food and assists in subsequent digestion in the intestines. Patients usually do not notice symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly because the structure is too stretched to accommodate the food. Even in cases where the malignancy is very high,” says Dr Vinay Gaikwad, Director- Surgical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram.
Dr. Gaikwad says that stomach cancer is considered aggressive and grows rapidly, which increases the risk of death.
“The main cause for concern is that stomach tumors typically have an aggressive tumor biology, meaning they are extremely malignant and grow rapidly by nature. Additionally, symptoms of stomach cancer sometimes- “Can sometimes be confusing and quite vague. Stomach pain and acidic feeling are common and should not be considered seriously until the disease has progressed significantly,” he adds.
causes of stomach cancer
Dr. Gaikwad says there are many factors that can increase the risk of colon cancer, yet the actual cause of the disease is still unknown.
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor that can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and increase the chance of stomach cancer over time.
- The risk of stomach cancer may be due to certain lifestyle choices, including smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too many spicy, smoked or salty foods.
- Older age, male gender, obesity, and radiation or chemical exposure are additional risk factors. Although colon cancer is not a common occurrence in people with these risk factors, living a healthy lifestyle and limiting exposure to recognized risk factors can help reduce the chance of getting this potentially fatal disease.
symptoms of stomach cancer
“A variety of symptoms, some of which may be mild at first but become more noticeable as the disease progresses, are often present with stomach cancer. Persistent discomfort or pain in the abdomen, especially in the upper abdomen, is often an early indicator. When the tumor grows and interferes with digestion, it can lead to unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, and feeling full even after eating small amounts of food,” says Dr. Gaikwad says.
“Suffering from nausea and vomiting, especially after eating, as well as having trouble swallowing or feeling as if food is stuck in the throat, can also be symptoms of stomach cancer. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer. But, these symptoms can vary in intensity and may be accompanied by additional symptoms including weakness, tiredness or blood in the stool,” says the oncologist.
Stomach cancer prevention
According to studies, increased intake of vitamin C and vitamin C-rich foods, including vegetables and fruits, can protect people from gastric cancer. According to reports by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, increased consumption of non-starchy vegetables and fruits may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, while salt and salty foods may be risk factors for gastric cancer.
stomach cancer treatment
Treatment options are also quite complex, such as chemotherapy, super-major surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes targeted therapy.
“The important thing is to be aware of the symptoms early on and get appropriate tests done to confirm the disease. If anyone else in the family has cancer, one should also get tested. Reducing smoking and alcohol consumption Should be avoided. Smoked food is also harmful. Prevention is better than cure, more so in stomach cancer. Awareness and early detection is the key to defeat this dangerous cancer,” Dr Gaikwad concluded.
