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 plant-based diet is highly recommended for a healthy heart — weight watchers can also benefit from it, as can diabetics. When one goes vegan, the biggest change comes when one moves from dairy milk to oat, almond, or soy milk. Parents, too, are now shifting their children to trendy vegan milk options — little do they realise that this could bring their worst fears to life. According to the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology, drinks that are aimed at children and often marketed as healthy are usually loaded with sugar and offer little or no nutrition.

Why has plant milk become a preferred choice?

Experts found that children under five years of age are more prone to malnutrition, tooth decay, or even obesity. The study is the first of its kind, and its warning will be published in the coming week. It is backed by the British Dental Association and the British Dietetic Association. Doctors say that plant-based drinks are often compared to cow’s milk in terms of nutrition. However, these claims are not supported by current evidence.

Why is plant milk discouraged for children?

Plant milk has gained popularity in recent years because of the health benefits that many believe it offers. While adults may benefit from it in several ways, toddlers must not be given these packaged, sugary drinks. The added sugars can become nothing more than a frequent treat for children, who may lose their milk teeth sooner and suffer from decay. Researchers found that families are often convinced that plant milk is good for children, but these oat, almond, and soy versions of milk are processed and full of sucrose and fructose syrups.

According to a report, most of these drinks contain large amounts of sugar in the form of maltodextrin, glucose syrup, sucrose, and fructose. A 350 ml glass of such milk contains more than double a toddler’s daily sugar allowance. Ideally, toddlers should not be given more than 14 grams of sugar every day. Their young bodies can struggle to absorb vitamin B12 and calcium from plant drinks. The BSACI recommends that parents opt for unsweetened, fortified plant milk instead, as these can play a crucial role in supporting children’s health.

How do ultra-processed foods affect children’s health?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined as food groups that undergo a great deal of processing — the most natural foods fall under Group 1, while heavily processed foods are placed under Group 4. While these do not definitively determine how healthy a food option is, they indicate the level of processing involved. Highly processed foods are associated with a range of health problems, which is why it is important to make informed dietary choices.

What are minimally processed foods?

In your kitchen, foods with a minimal level of processing include:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Legumes
5. Meat and poultry
6. Eggs
7. Fish and seafood
8. Fresh milk
9. Spices and herbs
10. Coffee and tea
11. Nuts and seeds
12. Plain yoghurt

What are ultra-processed foods in your kitchen?

Some of the most processed foods in your kitchen include:

1. Sweetened yoghurt
2. Soft drinks
3. Biscuits
4. Breakfast cereals
5. Candies
6. Cake mixes
7. Breads and buns
8. Energy drinks
9. Energy bars
10. Frozen foods — pies, pizzas, snacks, sausages, pepperoni, ham, and salami
11. Instant foods — noodles, soups, and sauces

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer reported among women living in metropolitan India. And while the causes have largely been genetic or linked to family history, a new study says that a woman's breast tissue undergoes dramatic changes with age, creating an environment where cancer cells are more likely to flourish. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK and the University of British Columbia in Canada mapped how breast tissue changes over time. Comprising over three million cells, the map tracks how breast tissue undergoes changes in women as they age. It was found that the most striking shift occurs around menopause.

How does age influence breast changes in women?

Researchers found that as women age, their breast tissue undergoes changes. During the 20s, these changes can be attributed to pregnancy and childbirth. However, the major and most dramatic changes occur around menopause. With age, the number of cells in breast tissue declines. As a result, the structure of the tissue also changes. This creates favourable conditions in which cancer cells can thrive and survive more easily, thereby explaining why breast cancer risk increases with age.

Researchers also identified a cluster of cell types in the breast tissue. As per the American Cancer Society, 320,000 women in the US might be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, making it the most common type of tumour in women. Breast cancer rates are also rising in younger women for unclear reasons, but most cases are still diagnosed in women aged 50 years and above. Age is an important risk factor for nearly all types of cancer. Researchers say that this is partly because people accumulate genetic mutations in their cells with age. As a result, abnormal cells spread uncontrollably and develop into tumours.

Why is age a risk factor for breast cancer?

Experts say that despite the rising incidence of breast cancer, it is not well understood how breast tissue changes with age and contributes to cancer risk. To investigate this, experts analysed normal breast tissue samples from 527 women aged 15–86 years who were undergoing breast reduction surgery. Using advanced imaging, experts mapped individual cells in a two-dimensional representation of how breast tissue changes over time.

The map also found that breast tissue divides less often with age, and the number of immune cells declines. The number of epithelial cells that line the milk-producing structures and mammary ducts also declines with age. However, the scale of changes across the breast is surprising.

Why does breast structure change with age?

Researchers found that the structure of breast tissue also changes with age. The milk-producing lobules shrink, blood vessels decrease, and fat cells increase. Stromal and immune cells also move away from epithelial cells, thereby making it easier for cancer cells to spread and escape. Younger breasts also have relatively more immune cells, known as active T-cells and B-cells, that can identify and destroy tumour cells before they multiply.

Older breasts have fewer cancer-fighting cells and immune cells that other studies implicate in cancer development. These changes create an inflammatory environment in which the immune system is less able to hold back cancer cells and is more permissive of carcinogenesis. However, it is unclear why certain types of cells change.

The age when breast cancer risk peaks

Researchers found that ageing peaks in the late 40s, corresponding to menopause. After this, depending on how quickly the breast tissue ages, one could be more prone to breast cancer risk. The study, however, did not analyse genetics and other breast cancer-influencing risk factors. Previous studies suggest that normal breast tissue in women with genetic risk factors in place ages faster than in others.

The research was published in the Nature Aging journal.

Desk jobs cause just as much damage as smoking. Several studies have stated that sitting for prolonged hours does the same amount of damage as smoking, and for that reason, experts have recommended exercise. Doctors and scientists have long said that working out is a good way to combat the damage caused by prolonged sitting hours—but a new study begs to differ. It turns out that the damage caused by sitting too much can contribute to the risk of heart disease, early death, and even type 2 diabetes. However, working out and eating right may not be sufficient to make up for this loss.

What are the physical effects of long sitting hours?

Physical inactivity refers to not engaging in vigorous or moderate workouts. Public health guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workouts like cycling or brisk walking and 75 minutes of vigorous workouts like running. Sedentary behaviour, on the other hand, refers to reclining with low energy expenditure or long durations of sitting in front of a desk or television or during a long commute.

Experts say that a person can, therefore, be physically active yet live a sedentary lifestyle. Some can also go for a run before work and yet remain seated for about the next eight hours. This workout helps, but it does not combat the ill effects of sitting for long hours. When the body stays still for longer periods, a series of changes occur — skeletal muscle activity levels drop, making it difficult for the body to absorb glucose from the blood. This can result in insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes.

What happens when you sit for long hours?

Blood circulation also becomes inefficient, and nutrients and oxygen take much longer to reach the tissues, thereby impairing vascular function and raising blood pressure. Together, these circulatory changes can lead to high cholesterol, belly fat accumulation, and high blood sugar. Prolonged sitting also impacts the musculoskeletal system. Limited movement and poor posture have an adverse impact on the lower back, neck, and shoulders, explaining why pains and aches are common among corporate workers.

How do long sitting hours affect mental health?

The effects of long sitting hours can impact your brain as well, reducing energy levels, alertness, and concentration. Employees who sit for extended durations are less productive and feel more sluggish at work. Globally, this leads to four to five million deaths every year, hence explaining why regular workouts are encouraged.

Can regular exercise combat the ill effects of long sitting hours?

It turns out that taking a gym membership and going for regular workouts may not be sufficient to combat the ill effects of long sitting hours. On the other hand, small and regular interruptions can make a difference. Research suggests that moving or standing up for even two to five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes can improve glucose metabolism and reduce heart-related risks too.

According to a study of offices in the UK, these measures can reduce daily sitting time by one to one and a half hours. Employees involved reported better musculoskeletal comfort, energy, and focus. This makes the message evident—regular workouts are essential, but they may not fully combat the risks associated with long sitting hours. A quick walk after lunch, attending to phone calls while taking a short walk, or even taking small breaks every now and then—these small efforts will help you protect your health better than most other remedies. For a modern corporate employee, protecting health need not be about exercising after work but about sitting less and moving more even while work is ongoing.