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.

Utah has become the first US state to authorise an artificial intelligence (AI) system to issue prescriptions for certain medications, marking a significant development in the use of AI in healthcare.

The pilot programme allows Nolla Health, a healthcare technology startup, to use its AI-powered dermatology app, Nolla Derm, to examine adults with mild-to-moderate acne and recommend prescription treatments without requiring an doctor's and supervision.

The programme is currently limited to adults aged 18 and above in Utah and covers a small list of topical acne medications. However, the initiative is significant as AI systems can eventually issue prescriptions without a doctors reviewing every case beforehand.

The development has also raised questions about whether AI can make decisions that are normally made by licensed medical professionals, especially when a prescription depends on assessing a patient's symptoms, medical history and treatment risks.

How Does Utah's AI Prescription Work?

Patients using Nolla Derm are required to verify their identity, provide informed consent and complete a medical questionnaire. They then submit photographs of their face through the app.

The AI system analyses the images to check acne severity and combines this information with the patient's medical history to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

It can then select from a limited list of topical acne treatments approved by physicians and generate a prescription.

The programme is being introduced in three stages, with different levels of medical supervision.

• First 100 patients: Two Utah-licensed physicians independently review and approve every AI-generated prescription before it is sent to a pharmacy.
• Next 400 patients: The AI can issue prescriptions directly and physicians will review cases retrospectively.
• Subsequent patients: Physicians review at least 10% of prescriptions each month, along with cases involving complications or side effects.

Advancing in stages requires the company to meet safety targets, including at least 95% agreement with physician assessments and no serious adverse events, as well as written approval from the state. Patients can also contact a licensed physician through the app.

Also read: Woman With Epilepsy Dies After Following ChatGPT’s Advice To Stop Medication: Why AI Cannot Replace A Doctor

Patient Safety Concerns

While AI can analyse information quickly, prescribing medication involves more than identifying a condition and selecting a drug. Doctors consider a patient's medical history, allergies, existing medications, and other health conditions. There are several concerns surrounding the use of AI for these decisions.

1. Incorrect diagnosis

An AI system assessing acne through photographs may not always be able to distinguish it from other skin conditions. Some skin disorders require different treatments or deeper medical investigation.

If the system incorrectly classifies a condition as acne, a patient could receive inappropriate medication, which could delay correct diagnosis.

Also read: New AI Tool Uses Facial Photos To Predict Cancer Patients’ Survival Risk

2. Missing important medical details

A prescription may be unsuitable because of a patient's allergies, medical history, pregnancy status or other medications.

Although Nolla Derm collects medical information through a questionnaire, questions remain about whether an automated system can consistently identify important details.

Also read: AI-Created Virus Injected Into A Human For The First Time To Fight Antibiotic Resistance

3. Delayed treatment

Not every skin problem is acne. Some lesions or changes in the skin may require an examination to rule out other conditions, including skin cancer.

If patients rely on an automated assessment instead of seeking medical attention, there is a risk that a condition could be overlooked and its diagnosis could be delayed.

4. Limited ability to detect complications

Patients may experience side effects after starting treatment. An AI system may not be able to assess these developments as comprehensively as a clinician who can examine the patient, order investigations or modify treatment.

5. Accountability when something goes wrong

Another concern is determining who is responsible if an AI-generated prescription causes harm. The Utah pilot includes oversight and malpractice insurance requirements, but the bigger question of accountability remains an important issue.

Doctors Question Whether AI Should Prescribe Without Human Oversight

Also read: AI May Suggest 3 Times More Expensive Medical Tests And Drugs Than Doctors, New Study Finds

The initiative has prompted concerns among medical professionals about how much responsibility AI systems should be given in healthcare. John Whyte, chief executive of the American Medical Association (AMA), has questioned whether AI should independently make medical decisions.

"These tools can play a very effective role, but they shouldn't autonomously be trying to practice medicine, and if they are, then they need to be held to very high standards, just as humans are," he told the Los Angeles Times. "And I don't think they can meet that burden," he added.

Earlier in 2026, Utah authorised another AI pilot involving prescription refills through the healthcare startup Doctronic. The programme attracted criticism from the state's Medical Licensing Board, which raised concerns about allowing AI to handle medication decisions without medical professionals.

Can AI Prescribing Improve Access To Healthcare?

Supporters argue that AI could help address gaps in access to medical care, especially for conditions that are commonly straightforward.

Zach Boyd, director of Utah's Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, said the programme was designed to encourage healthcare innovation while maintaining safeguards.

"The Nolla Health pilot program represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI to improve healthcare access for Utahns, while maintaining rigorous oversight and safety," he said. "Our office facilitates innovative AI solutions while ensuring that public health and patient safety remain paramount."

Nolla's chief medical adviser, Dr Zaid Fadul, also highlighted the importance of independent oversight.

"The real test for AI in healthcare isn't how smart it is. It's whether someone other than the company can shut it off," he said.

"In Utah, the state can, and physicians can. That's the standard every AI in medicine should meet."

Healthcare affordability was one of the major influencers of US midterm election outcomes. A recent poll revealed that more than half of US voters believe their healthcare costs have worsened under President Donald Trump's administration.

The analysis by health policy research organisation KFF was published a day after the 2026 midterm elections' results were announced. It found that 54% of midterm voters said the administration's policies had made their personal healthcare costs worse. Only 10% said their costs had improved.

Voters who said their healthcare costs had increased were more likely to support Democratic candidates. Among this group, 82% voted for Democratic candidates, compared to 16% who voted Republican.

The findings come as Democrats made significant gains in the November 3 midterms, winning control of both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.

Democrats Have An Advantage On Healthcare

Also read: 2026 US Election Results: What Democrats’ Wins Mean For RFK Jr’s MAHA Movement And Vaccine Policy

KFF's analysis of the 2026 Voter Poll found that Democrats had a 19-percentage-point advantage over Republicans on healthcare.

When asked which party was better equipped to handle healthcare, 49% of voters chose Democrats, compared to 30% who chose GOP.

This shows a bigger jump from the 2024 presidential election, when Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris had a seven-point lead over Donald Trump on the same issue.

Democrats also held a narrow advantage on the economy as 43% of voters said that they trusted the party to handle it better, compared to 37% who chose Republicans. This marked a sharp reversal from 2024, when Trump had a 10-point advantage over Harris on the economy.

The healthcare advantage was also visible among independent voters. Among independents who said Trump's policies had made their healthcare costs worse, 69% voted for Democratic candidates for Congress.

Healthcare Affordability: A Major Election Concern

Also read: US Midterms: Where Did Voters Support Abortion Rights And Where Did They Reject Them?

Healthcare costs had emerged as a significant concern even before voters went to the polls. A separate KFF Health Tracking Poll conducted between September 16 and 21 found that six in 10 voters were worried about affording healthcare. This included 25% who were very worried and 35% who were somewhat worried.

The poll also found that 47% of voters considered healthcare costs an extremely significant issue for candidates to discuss during the midterm campaign.

Democratic candidates repeatedly highlighted healthcare affordability, criticising Republicans over the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and reductions in Medicaid spending included in the 2025 reconciliation law.

The enhanced ACA tax credits had helped lower insurance premiums for people purchasing coverage through the marketplaces. Their expiration raised concerns about higher insurance costs for many enrollees.

Medicaid spending reductions also became a key point of debate because of their implications for people relying on the government-funded health insurance programme.

Democrats' victory gives the party control of both chambers of Congress, creating opportunities to analyse Trump administration's healthcare policies and push for changes in insurance affordability and Medicaid. It also gives them room to bring reforms in reproductive healthcare, vaccine policies, and gender-affirming care.

However, implementing major policy changes may be difficult while Trump remains president, especially if legislation faces a presidential veto.

Pennsylvania recently announced that an unvaccinated individual tested positive for measles and died, becoming the sixth measles-associated death of 2026. The state's outbreak continues to expand as confirmed infections have now crossed 1,400 cases across 45 of its 67 counties.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed on November 4 that the resident was from Jefferson County. Officials did not release more details about the individual.

The latest death brings Pennsylvania's total to six this year. The state has recorded 1,467 confirmed measles cases across 45 counties, with 283 hospitalisations, according to its latest update.

The outbreak began in late April and has become one of the largest measles outbreaks in the United States in more than three decades.

Pennsylvania Reports Six Measles-Associated Deaths

Also read: New York Reports First Measles-Associated Death In 30 Years As Cases Continue To Rise

The six deaths confirmed by Pennsylvania health officials involved residents of three counties, in which three were from Lancaster County, two from Jefferson County and one from Mifflin County.

The state also addressed reports of a separate death involving a Franklin County resident in October. However, its investigation had not found evidence meeting the criteria to classify that death as measles-associated as of November 4.

Pennsylvania's definition requires a person to have clinical evidence of measles infection and a positive laboratory test, with death occurring within 30 days since symptom begins.

There is also a difference between state and federal death counts. Pennsylvania has confirmed six deaths, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported three measles-related deaths in its national tally as of October 29. The CDC is working on standard definition to ascertain how measles-associated deaths are classified across states.

US Reports Nearly 4,900 Measles Cases In 2026

Also read: US Midterm Elections 2026: Abortion, Medicaid, Measles And Healthcare Issues At Stake

Pennsylvania is at the centre of a wider resurgence of measles in the country. The CDC reported 4,852 confirmed measles cases in the US as of October 29, 2026. Of these, 96% were connected to outbreaks.

The state also saw a sharp increase in vaccination activity. Healthcare providers administered more than 61,000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses in October, more than twice the usual monthly number of approximately 25,000 doses.

Measles Is Life-Threatening

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Initial symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash usually develops several days later, beginning on the face and spreading down the body.

Although many people recover, measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. It can also weaken the immune system and increase vulnerability to other infections.

The MMR vaccine remains the most effective protection. Two doses are approximately 97% effective against measles.

Pennsylvania health officials recommend that people check their vaccination records and speak to a healthcare provider if they are unsure whether they have received the recommended doses.

Infants aged six to 11 months living in or travelling to areas with sustained measles transmission may also be advised to receive an early vaccine dose. This does not replace the two routine doses recommended later.