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.

The Upstate South Carolina measles outbreak grew to 434 confirmed cases by Tuesday, officials reported. Health authorities said the outbreak has expanded quickly, with 124 new cases recorded in just a few days between January 9 and January 13, 2026.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, around 409 people were placed under quarantine and 17 were kept in isolation as of Tuesday. Officials also confirmed that one individual, unaware they were contagious at the time, visited the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia on January 2 between 1 pm and 5 pm. Anyone who was at the museum during that window may have been exposed and has been advised to watch closely for symptoms.

What Is Measles?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious viral illness that typically causes fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a widespread red rash. It spreads through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is extremely infectious and can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

While some cases are mild, measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and even death, especially in young children. A safe and effective vaccine has prevented millions of deaths worldwide, but outbreaks continue to occur in areas with low vaccination coverage, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Measles Cases Spreading In The US

South Carolina health officials said yesterday that the state’s measles count has reached 434 after confirming 124 new cases. At present, 409 residents are in quarantine and 17 are in isolation, with some quarantine periods expected to last until February 6.

Mobile vaccination units are operating this week, and officials are strongly encouraging residents to get vaccinated. “Getting vaccinated now can help people avoid long periods of quarantine at home after exposure to the measles virus. Vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can prevent measles infection,” the state’s department of public health said in its latest update.

Measles Symptoms

Measles can result in hospitalization and, in severe cases, death. Common symptoms include:

• High fever, which can rise above 104 degrees
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Tiny white spots inside the cheeks, gums, and on the roof of the mouth known as Koplik spots, appearing two to three days after symptoms begin
• A red, raised, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs within three to five days after symptoms start

Measles Vaccine Prevention

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective against measles and 86 percent effective against mumps when both recommended doses are received.

The MMR vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. The first dose is typically given between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Children who are traveling internationally may receive the vaccine earlier.

As reported by CIDRAP, South Carolina allows religious exemptions from vaccination through a notarized form, without requiring a doctor’s approval. One of the schools linked to the early phase of the outbreak, Global Academy of South Carolina, reported a vaccination rate of just 17 percent during the 2024 to 25 school year.

Of the 434 measles cases tracked over the past six months, 378 patients were unvaccinated and 47 had an unknown vaccination status. Only six people were fully vaccinated, while three had received partial vaccination. About two thirds of all measles cases in South Carolina involve children and teens aged 5 to 17, accounting for 287 cases.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has canceled nearly $2billion worth of funding for substance abuse and mental health programs across the country in a sweeping decision.

The MAHA leader dissolved 2,000 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) related-grants overnight, a move that many experts say will hamper frontline care for some of the most vulnerable people in the country.

These grants provide resources for overdose prevention, addiction recovery and mental health services to individuals, regardless of age and gender.

“Without that funding, people are going to lose access to lifesaving services,” Yngvild Olsen, former director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and a national adviser at Manatt Health, said.

According to letters sent to multiple non-profits associated with the SAMHSA, grants are terminated as of January 13 and "costs resulting from financial obligations incurred after termination are not allowable", NPR revealed.

This move comes on top of deep Medicaid cuts, passed last year by the Republican-dominated Congress, which has severely affected numerous mental health and addiction care providers.

Why Were The Grants Canceled?

While officials say that the grants were reinstated the next morning, affected organizations claim to have received no such notice and have begun to make difficult decisions in response to the cuts, including laying off employees and canceling scheduled trainings, according to AP.

What Are Experts Saying?

Advocacy groups across the nation are now amplifying concerns over the abrupt cancellation of federal mental health and substance use grants. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr noted: "These cuts are disheartening and cruel, and they threaten the life-saving work of hundreds of organizations that provide critical mental health support across the United States.

"Addressing our mental health and substance use crises in this country has never been political, which is why it continues to have bipartisan support in Congress. These abrupt and unjustified cuts will immediately disrupt suicide prevention efforts, family and peer recovery support, overdose prevention and treatment and mental health awareness and education programming, along with so many more essential services, putting an unknown number of lives at stake.

"These aren't just numbers on paper. These are decisions that have real and harmful consequences for millions of people and communities around the country."

Robert Franks, CEO of the Boston-based mental health provider the Baker Center for Children and Families, added that loss of funding would force his organization to lay off staff and put care in jeopardy for some 600 families receiving it.

What Does Congress Say?

"These cuts will cost lives. Throughout his tenure, Secretary Kennedy has done nothing to make Americans safer, and everything to place us in more danger. Restricting vaccine access, calling into question proven treatments for diseases, and now stripping communities of the resources they need to prevent drug overdoses and treat addiction.

"These cuts by the Trump Administration are senseless and unconscionable. They will destroy families, ruin lives and cause preventable deaths. The Trump Administration must immediately reverse these cancellations of critical grants so that American families can continue to receive the services they depend on to survive."

American host Oprah Winfrey, who told her fans she was taking GLP-1 weight loss medication in 2023, has revealed that she stopped taking injections for a short period of time last year and ended up gaining significant weight.

During an episode of the TODAY show with Jenna & Sheinelle, Winfrey, 71, said: "I was off the (weight loss medications) all last year and I gained 20lbs because I wanted to test it.

"Because everyone was saying 'you're going to gain the weight' (and) I'm going to show them that I'm not going to gain the weight. I'm going to hike."

However, the media mogul ended up gaining most of her weight back, citing that once she was off the medications, she would stand in front of the refrigerator thinking "what can I eat".

Is This Scientifically True?

Researchers have found that those who lose weight using blockbuster GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic could regain about 0.4kg every month after quitting these treatments. In contrast, those who lost weight through exercise, diet and other factors only gained 0.1kg.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injectable GLP-1 medication primarily approved for adults with Type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels. However, the drug has gained immense popularity among those trying to lose weight as it can reduce hunger and help people feel full for longer, which forces the body to burn fat deposits to stay functional.

In clinical trials, people with obesity using semaglutide have shown to lose an average of about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Most people begin to see noticeable results within 8 to 12 weeks of taking the drug.

The official price in India for a once-weekly Ozempic injection pen ranges from approximately ₹8,800 for the 0.25 mg dose to around ₹11,175 for the 1 mg dose per month. Insurance coverage is generally inconsistent for weight loss indications.

Have Weight Loss Impacted Winfrey's Diet?

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the OWN founder noted that in the last two years, her relationship with food and exercise has changed drastically, in addition to erasing her taste for alcohol.

'The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing,' Winfrey said.

The talk show legend once admitted she was able to :outdrink everyone at the table" and "was a big fan of tequila". "I literally had 17 shots one night," she said, "I haven't had a drink in years. The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing."

Additionally, Winfrey said she no longer obsesses over food and has embraced exercise for the first time in her life. However, once she understood that she began to gain weight when she stopped taking injections, Winfrey realized that the medication will likely be "a lifetime thing".

"It's going to be a lifetime thing. I'm on high blood pressure medication, and if I go off the high blood pressure medication, my blood pressure is going to go up. The same thing is true now, I realize, with these medications. I’ve proven to myself I need it," she told the publication.

Winfrey now typically takes the shots weekly, but sometimes stretches them to 10 or 12 days. "You need to start slow and gradual,' she advised. 'If you start by taking too much at one time, you have more of a chance of messing yourself up

Apart form this, the media star also now works out for about two hours a day, six days a week, hiking, doing cardio or strength training.