Gastric cancer is also known as stomach cancer and is caused by cells starting to develop abnormally and without control in any part of the stomach, the muscular part of the digestive system used to store and process food. Gastric cancer is very likely to spread to other internal organs, especially the liver, oesophagus and lungs. Stomach cancer is a very common condition, being the fourth most frequent cancer in the world. Around the globe, just under one million people a year die from gastric cancer.

Usually gastric cancer does not display any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. By that time, it generally spreads to other internal organs, making it very difficult to treat. Possible signs of stomach cancer may be heartburn, indigestion and loss of appetite. Later on, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation, weight loss, bleeding, tiredness and difficulty swallowing may occur.

Significant risk factors that increase the chances of developing stomach cancer are ageing (most cases occur in people older than 55) and nutrition. Experts believe that foods high in salt, certain preserved foods (especially meats) increase the risk of stomach cancer, whereas eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can reduce it. Helicobacter pylori are bacteria that cause infection and are thought to influence the occurrence of gastric cancer, especially in conjunction with poor diet, smoking and alcohol.

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