Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. Also, known as Gastric cancer, it affects the elderly more than the adult. According to the American Cancer Society, about 6 of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are 65 or older. Also, the lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer is higher in men (about 1 in 101) than in women (about 1 in 155).

A health expert, speaking to a leading media house, emphasized five common symptoms of stomach cancer that should not be ignored:

1. Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying or experiencing an unexplained drop in appetite, which may signal cancer progression.

2. Pain in the upper part of the abdomen: Persistent or occasional pain in the stomach area, often after eating, can become more severe as the condition progresses.

3. Frequent vomiting after meals: Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, may occur especially after meals and is linked to cancer blocking or irritating the stomach.

4. Vomiting blood, which may appear coffee-colored: This can indicate bleeding in the stomach, often caused by ulcers or tumors, and requires immediate medical attention.

5. Black, tarry stools: This occurs when blood from the stomach is digested and passed through the intestines, signaling potential internal bleeding

There are also other concerning signs that should not be overlooked such as jaundice, unexplained weight loss, early onset of diabetes, dark stools, and loss of appetite. Health experts strongly advise seeking immediate medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms. If you or a loved one experience these signs, it's crucial to visit a physician for a thorough evaluation to rule out serious underlying health conditions.

How Does Stomach Cancer Spread?

Oncologist Dr Pankaj Kumar Pande, Director–Surgical Oncology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi explained that this form of cancer spreads through three main pathways: Direct spread, lymphatic spread, and bloodstream.

1. Direct Spread: In its early stages, stomach cancer can invade nearby tissues and grow into the deeper layers of the stomach or spread to surrounding organs such as the oesophagus, liver, pancreas, or intestines.

2. Lymphatic Spread: Cancer cells can travel through the lymphatic system. The most common areas affected are the regional lymph nodes near the stomach, particularly those around the liver and diaphragm.

3. Bloodstream: "Cancer cells can enter the bloodstream and travel to distant parts of the body," which is a common route for stomach cancer to metastasize to distant organs.

He further explained that cancerous cells spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body through a process called Metastasis. The most common sites for the spread are the liver, lymph nodes, peritoneum, lungs, bones, and ovaries.

A fresh assessment of Quebec’s hospital network paints a troubling picture. The number of medical buildings considered to be in poor condition has more than doubled in just one year, revealing infrastructure problems far deeper than previously understood.

Data updated by Santé Québec and compiled by Radio Canada shows that 38 per cent of the province’s 594 hospital buildings were rated either poor or very poor by early 2026.

In early 2025, about 100 buildings fell into those categories. A year later, that number rose sharply to 227.

Repair Costs Surge Past $2 Billion

The deteriorating conditions have dramatically increased repair costs. The hospital maintenance backlog, once estimated at about 900 million dollars last year, has now crossed 2 billion dollars.

Officials say the numbers reflect years of aging infrastructure and delayed evaluations rather than a sudden collapse in a single year.

Montreal Hospitals Among The Worst Affected

Nearly half of the most deteriorated hospitals are located in Montreal.

The Montreal General Hospital now ranks as the worst facility in the province. Last year it held a B rating, meaning good condition. This year it fell to E, the lowest possible grade, indicating very bad condition.

Colleen Timm, executive director of the McGill University Health Centre, described the situation as critical. She said the hospital has recorded 260 water leaks since early 2024, some affecting patient care directly.

According to Timm, the building’s plumbing and electrical systems must be completely replaced. The estimated maintenance deficit for that hospital alone is about 249 million dollars.

The Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which recently experienced burst water pipes, is also among the most deteriorated sites.

Problems Seen Across The Province

The issue extends beyond Montreal. Santé Québec figures show several other facilities also need major repairs.

The Douglas Mental Health Institute in Montreal, the Hôtel Dieu de Québec in Quebec City and the Saint Jérôme regional hospital each require roughly 100 million dollars in work.

Sonia Dugas, vice president of finance at Santé Québec, called the rapid rise in poor ratings worrying. She explained the increase is partly due to a long overdue update of infrastructure data that had not been properly evaluated for years.

The goal, she said, is to get an accurate picture so budgets can be prioritized correctly.

Aging Buildings Before New Ones

Officials now say the province must focus on maintaining older facilities before expanding the network.

Santé Québec currently has about 1 billion dollars available for maintenance, but Dugas acknowledged the real repair costs will likely be at least double that amount.

The findings suggest Quebec faces a long and expensive effort to modernize hospitals that millions rely on for care.

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53, 10 months after revealing he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dane, who is also known for his role as Nate Jacob's father in HBO's Euphoria, has spent his last few months raising awareness for the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).

Popularly known as 'McSteamy', Dane is survived by his wife, fellow actress and model Rebecca Gayheart and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," reads a statement from the grieving family. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

What Is ALS?

Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two to five years following diagnosis.

ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival.

Who is Affected by ALS?

There are two major types of ALS:

Sporadic ALS: This is the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Though it appears without family history, a portion of cases may involve genetic mutations.

Familial ALS: Representing about 10 percent of cases, this inherited form results from specific genetic changes.

Certain groups are at higher risk. Military veterans and firefighters are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS—potentially due to environmental exposures, physical trauma, or toxins encountered during service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition, entitling veterans to specialized care and benefits.

READ MORE: Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Eric Dane Reveals He Has ALS- What Are The Early Signs And Risks?

What Symptoms Should Look Out For?

• Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes
• Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs
• Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect)
• Breathing difficulties

What Leads To ALS?

ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care.

There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

Western Australia (WA) Government's announcement of older Western Australians living in residential aged care to receive free RSV immunization through a new $2.6 million state-funded program has been welcomed by the Royal Australian College of GPs or the RACGP.

This is a first initiative where the Arexvy RSV vaccine that usually costs around $300 at private hospitals will be made available at no cost to Western Australians aged 65 and over residing in aged care facilities. As per the Depart of Health, there are about 15,000 aged care residents who will benefit by the vaccine this year.

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is RSV?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is a common, contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms. In older adults, including those with certain underlying conditions, RSV could cause severe infection. RSV is not a new virus and could be a bigger health concern than many think due to it being highly contagious.

It is a type of respiratory virus that could cause infections of the lungs and the respiratory tracts, It is similar to other respiratory infections when it comes to spreading.

How Does RSV Spread?

It could spread through a cough, sneeze, or by exchange of saliva or using hand to cover a sneeze and not washing it. A person with RSV is typically contagious for three to eight days, for some people with weakened immune system, they could be contagious for four weeks even after they stop showing symptoms.

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of RSV could appear in three to four days and last up to two weeks. It could range from mild to severe symptoms in older adults. The common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Congestion
• Headache
• Tiredness

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is The RSV Season?

The seasonality could vary based on geographic location, population density and even climate activity. However, majority of RSV cases follow the patter:

• Rise from mid September to mid November
• Peak from late December to mid February
• Decline from mid April to mid May

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Does The Data Say?

RSV is a major winter respiratory illness in Australia that results over 115,000 hospitalizations (2016 to 2019) as per the data presented by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCRIS), which is Australia's leading immunization organization. Its data notes that RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, with high rates in those under six months.

As per the official website of Government of Western Australia, in 2025, Western Australia reported 12,804 RSV cases and around a third were in people over 65 who became "very unwell" and required hospital admission. This year's initiative thus aims to lower this number and to protect the seniors form this contagious disease. The Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook said, "Our health system is seeing more patients who are older, sicker and have complex heath needs, reflecting the impact of an ageing population. The RSV immunization program will keep more Western Australians well over the winter months and ease the pressure on our emergency departments."