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 46-year-old mother of six in Oregon, US, lost both legs and suffered multiple life-altering injuries after developing a severe infection following a hysterectomy.

According to a lawsuit alleging medical negligence, Trisha Stevens underwent the hysterectomy in October 2024. The lawsuit alleges that her infection was not diagnosed on time and treated promptly, which eventually led to peritonitis, septic shock and multiple organ failure.

Stevens and her husband are seeking $68.5 million in damages from several doctors and Legacy Health. The allegations have not been established in court yet.

Stevens lost both legs above the knees, her right hand and parts of her left hand. She also lost parts of her lips and tongue and suffered spinal cord damage that left her paralysed from the waist down.

“I came home having lost both of my legs and my right hand. My left hand was left unusable after the necrosis. I lost parts of my lips and tongue, and I live with paralysis in a body that no longer responds the way it once did,” Stevens told local news outlet KGW.

Her husband, Brian, now cares for her as she navigates the physical, mental and emotional consequences of the sepsis.

What Is Sepsis?

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Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body's response to an infection gets dysregulated, damaging its own tissues and organs. It can develop from infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, skin or gastrointestinal system, as well as infections after a surgery.

Without timely treatment, sepsis can progress to organ failure and death. In severe cases, it can cause septic shock, in which blood pressure falls dangerously low and organs receive insufficient blood flow.

Stevens' case involved peritonitis, an inflammation of the tissue lining the abdominal cavity, followed by septic shock, according to the lawsuit.

Severe infection and septic shock can disrupt blood circulation and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues. When blood flow becomes critically inadequate, tissue can die, which is known as necrosis. In some cases, surgeons may need to amputate affected limbs to remove dead or severely damaged tissue and prevent further complications.

However, limb loss is not an inevitable outcome of sepsis. It represents a severe complication that can occur in some critically ill patients.

Warning Signs

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies several possible signs of sepsis:

• Fever, shivering or feeling unusually cold
• Confusion or disorientation
• Rapid heart rate or a weak pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Extreme pain or discomfort

After surgery, worsening abdominal pain, fever, unusual bleeding, wound discharge or a sudden deterioration in general health warrants urgent medical assessment. Symptoms should not be dismissed simply because a patient has recently undergone a procedure.

Sepsis requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Management may include antibiotics, intravenous fluids, support for organ function and, where necessary, surgery to control the source of infection.

Spain is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases as the XFG variant, also known as American COVID, becomes the dominant circulating strain. Acute respiratory infections have reached epidemic levels, with COVID-19 and bronchiolitis contributing to the increase.

The Carlos III Institute’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) recorded 493.8 cases per 100,000 people between September 28 and October 4, up 3.3% from 478.2 the previous week.

According to Redacción Médica, infection intensity remains low despite the upward trend. COVID-19 incidence alone approached 120 cases per 100,000 people.

XFG Dominates COVID-19 Cases In Spain

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimated that XFG accounted for 54% of sequences reported by countries with sufficient data during weeks 34 and 35.

In Spain, the variant represented around 69% of those identified in primary care and 65% of hospital samples. However, the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) cautioned that the rise cannot be attributed to XFG alone.

Spain is also witnessing a rise in respiratory viruses, which reached 478.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 21 and 27 September, well above the 373 the previous week and also above the 400 mark, which marks the start of an epidemic.

Estimates put the total incidence of Covid-19 at 119.2 cases, compared with 92.6 in the previous week. The rate of positive test results stands at 4.1 per cent for flu, 27.2 per cent for SARS-CoV-2 and 0.2 per cent for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis.

Also read: ‘American Covid’ Strain Drives 50% Surge in UK Hospital Admissions: XFG Symptoms to Know

What Is The XFG Variant?

XFG is a recombinant Omicron lineage formed when two Omicron sublineages combined. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a variant under monitoring in 2025 because of its growth advantage. It is not a variant of concern yet.

Although XFG has mutations in its spike protein, studies suggest its ability to evade immunity differs only slightly from that of other JN.1 descendants.

There is no evidence that XFG causes more severe illness than other circulating Omicron variants. However, increased transmission can still lead to more hospital admissions by raising the total number of infections.

XFG Symptoms

Read More: XFG COVID Variant: What India Should Watch As Cases Rise In UK And France

XFG has no distinctive symptoms that reliably separate it from other COVID-19 variants. Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Cough
• Fever or chills
• Headache and muscle aches
• Fatigue

Loss of smell or taste is less common than during the early pandemic. Symptoms alone cannot identify the variant causing an infection.

Why Are Cases Rising?

The Institute reported that possible contributors to rising infections include:

• Greater transmissibility of XFG
• Waning immunity from vaccination and previous infections
• Increased social contact after summer
• Seasonal patterns of recurring COVID-19 waves
• Multiple sublineages circulating simultaneously

The relative contribution of each factor remains uncertain.

COVID-19 Cases Rise In The UK And France

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United Kingdom: The UK Health and Security Agency recorded a staggering 230% jump in cases from August to September, rising from 1,374 to 4,589. Hospital admissions soared even more dramatically from 950 to 4,939 in the same period.

The National Health Service (NHS) advises calling 999 for medical emergencies, including severe breathing difficulties, coughing up blood, collapse, loss of consciousness or a first seizure. The agency has also advised Brits testing positive to isolate for at least five days, with under-18s needing just three days. Anyone with the virus should avoid contact with immunocompromised people for 10 days.

France: COVID-19 cases among people consulting general practitioners for acute respiratory infections in France reached 13 per 100,000 during September 21–27, up from nine the previous week, The Connexion reported.

This represented approximately 8,806 cases, compared with around 6,000 a week earlier.

Overall, acute respiratory infections reported by general practitioners rose from 103 to 151 cases per 100,000 people. Rhinoviruses accounted for 40% of samples, compared with 10% for COVID-19.

Actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, best known for his performance in Breaking Bad, has died aged 34. His representative confirmed the news of his passing.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," his representative told the BBC.

He was found at his home in Brownsville, Texas at 12:50 pm. The cause of his death is yet to be determined, although authorities are suspecting it to be suicide. They are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the Brownsville Police Department, "The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation."

'Breaking Bad' Co-Star Bryan Cranston Says 'Seek Help'

Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, parlayed his own experience into his character, Walter 'Flynn' White Jr in the Emmy-winning drama series, starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Anna Gunn.

Cranston took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note about Mitte, sharing their experiences of working together. He wrote, "Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination."

He added, "He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community." Cranston's post contributed to the speculation that Mitte took his own life.

He also added a note for those who are struggling: "I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope."

Also read: World Cerebral Palsy Day: Baby Not Sitting by 9 Months? Warning Signs Parents Should Know

RJ Mitte's Life With Cerebral Palsy

Mitte was diagnosed with a relatively mild form of cerebral palsy as a young child. Unlike his character in Breaking Bad, who uses crutches and has noticeably slurred speech, Mitte did not require crutches to function in his real life.

This illustrates a key point about cerebral palsy. The disease affects people differently, and its visible signs and severity can vary considerably as one ages.

According to the CDC, cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong neurological conditions caused by abnormal development or damage to the developing brain. It affects movement, muscle control, balance, and posture. It is marked by impaired motor coordination and affects one in 323 children in the United States.

Mitte was the ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. Mitte's representative Sean Reilly told BBC, "Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."

Mitte was known for his extensive efforts to expand representation for people with disabilities. He also created The Mitte Foundation as well, to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, using his platform "to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities", Reilly said.

In addition to battling physical challenges related to the disease, Mitte also shed awareness about the bullying children with similar disabilities often face.

In an interview with Brain Health, Mitte said, "I was verbally harassed, knocked down, and even had my hand broken," Mitte says. "Having CP made me a target for bullies, and I learned that kids with disabilities are twice as likely to be bullied as other kids."