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 Ludhiana health department has increased surveillance and prevention efforts after a bunch of new cases of malaria and dengue were reported in the district.

Health officials have stepped up inspections, awareness campaigns, and anti-larval operations, urging residents to eliminate stagnant water and seek medical attention at the first sign of fever.

Increase In Dengue And Malaria Breeding Sites

Also read: Monsoon Playbook for Parents: Common Home Mistakes That Increase Infection Risk in Children

According to recent reports, extensive door-to-door inspections are being carried out across residential areas, schools, and public spaces to identify mosquito breeding sites.

During these inspections, dengue mosquito larvae were found in several homes, prompting authorities to issue notices to property owners and instruct them to immediately remove stagnant water.

The department said these inspections are part of an ongoing strategy to reduce mosquito breeding before cases increase further during peak monsoon season.

Proactive Strategy To Prevent Increase In Infections

Also read: From Heavy Floods To Extremely Humid, How Mumbai's Extreme Weather Can Impact Your Health?

The move comes after Ludhiana experienced a difficult mosquito-borne disease season last year. Official data showed the district recorded 128 malaria cases, including one death, and 538 dengue cases with one fatality, making early intervention a priority this year.

Health authorities say that increasing temperatures combined with intermittent rainfall have created favourable conditions for mosquitoes to multiply rapidly, making community participation essential in preventing another surge.

Officials are stressing that dengue and malaria are transmitted by different mosquitoes and require slightly different prevention strategies.

Dengue is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean, stagnant water found in coolers, flower pots, buckets, discarded tyres, and rooftop water tanks. These mosquitoes are most active during the daytime.

Malaria, on the other hand, is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which usually bite from dusk until dawn.

Eliminating breeding sites remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of both diseases.

How To Protect Yourself In Monsoon?

Doctors advise residents to watch for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, body aches, joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, excessive fatigue, or skin rashes. Anyone experiencing persistent fever should avoid self-medication and seek medical care promptly.

Early diagnosis helps prevent complications, particularly in severe dengue cases where warning signs such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, or difficulty breathing require immediate hospitalization.

Health experts recommend practising a combination of personal protection and environmental control:

• Empty and scrub water coolers, flower pots, buckets, bird baths, and other water containers at least once every week.
• Keep overhead tanks, drums, and storage containers tightly covered.
• Remove discarded tyres, plastic containers, coconut shells, and other objects that can collect rainwater.
• Wear full-sleeved clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity.
• Use mosquito repellents, coils, vaporizers, or insecticide-treated bed nets where appropriate.
• Install window and door screens to reduce mosquito entry.
• Cooperate with municipal fogging and anti-larval spraying teams when they visit your locality.

Public health officials say that preventing mosquito breeding at the household level remains the strongest defence against dengue and malaria. While health officials and their teams continue surveillance for containment, they emphasize that success depends on active community participation in keeping homes and neighbourhoods free of stagnant water.

The transport of Ebola victims' bodies across provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is emerging as one of the major causes of the country's rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak. The United Nations' International Organization for Migration recently issued a warning regarding the same.

According to the IOM, the movement of deceased Ebola patients from the place of death to their home communities for traditional funeral ceremonies is increasing the risk of spreading the deadly virus into previously unaffected areas. The warning comes as eastern Congo battles its largest Ebola outbreak in years, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no vaccine.

Why Transporting Bodies Of Ebola Victims So Dangerous?

As of July 14, more than 2,000 Ebola cases and over 700 deaths had been reported in Congo and neighboring Uganda.

Unlike other infectious diseases, Ebola remains highly contagious even after a patient has died. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids during funeral rituals, including washing, dressing, or touching the body.

In many parts of the country, families prefer to bury loved ones in their ancestral villages, often transporting bodies over long distances, which can unintentionally increase Ebola transmission.

The IOM stated that nearly two-thirds of Ebola-related deaths have occurred outside hospitals, making it difficult for trained burial teams to manage bodies safely before they are handed over to families.

Also read: WHO Says “Fastest Growing” DRC Ebola Outbreak May Be Four Times Bigger Than Official Count As Cases Near 2,000

"If we don't really manage the dead bodies well, if we don't engage the community. Then it means there will be more spread within the community," said Andrew Mbala from IOM.

According to Reuters, the agency said that at least 105 instances where bodies were transported between districts, including one case that was linked to new Ebola infections in Congo's Tshopo province.

The IOM said the current outbreak has grown by nearly 70% within two weeks, with more than 40 new cases being reported daily, highlighting how quickly the virus is spreading.

The agency stressed that safe and dignified burial practices, developed in partnership with local communities, remain one of the most effective tools for interrupting Ebola transmission.

"Ebola remains highly infectious after death, making funeral practices a critical component of outbreak control," the IOM said in its latest update.

Community Mistrust Is Another Hurdle

Health officials say the outbreak response continues to face significant obstacles beyond the virus itself.

Community resistance, misinformation, mistrust, insecurity, and attacks on healthcare workers have hampered contact tracing, safe burials, and treatment efforts.

According to the IOM, around one in five people identified as contacts of Ebola patients cannot currently be traced, making it increasingly difficult to contain transmission chains.

The outbreak, first officially recognized in May, has already spread across multiple provinces in eastern Congo.

Public health experts fear that continued movement of infected bodies, combined with undetected community transmission, could allow Ebola to reach additional regions if containment measures are not strengthened.

BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has revealed that she has been diagnosed with smoldering myeloma — a blood and bone marrow disorder that currently has no cure.

The chronic condition was discovered by her doctor nearly two years after Laverne recovered from cancer in August 2024. Laverne has not publicly disclosed the exact type of cancer she was treated for.

Lauren Laverne Reveals 'Chronic Condition'

Taking to Instagram, the 48-year-old TV presenter shared her health update, telling followers that she has been diagnosed with a "chronic condition."

"I’ve been diagnosed with something called smoldering myeloma (yes, that is a weird name and no, I’d never heard of it either)," she wrote. "It’s an asymptomatic blood and bone marrow disorder that in some people can develop into blood cancer."

Stating that her risk "is pretty low," Laverne explained that she does not need treatment at the moment. However, she noted that there is currently no cure and that her immune system is "a bit compromised."

She also clarified that the diagnosis "has nothing to do with my previous illness or my recent surgery, it’s just one of those things."

Also read: Cancer Kills Over 26,000 Daily; Cases to Hit 35 Million by 2050, Says WHO Report

Regular Monitoring Ahead

Because of the diagnosis, Laverne said she will be closely monitored with blood tests, MRIs, and bone marrow biopsies, which she joked she has "recently discovered are even less fun than they sound."

She revealed that the condition was identified after her GP noticed she had "persistently low iron levels."

"I've had some difficult experiences in the last eight years, but I have learned more from them than some people do in a lifetime and that is helping me right now. I am so grateful for that," she said.

Laverne also thanked her family, friends, doctors, consultants, nurses, and her team at BBC Radio 6 Music. Many of her fellow TV and radio personalities shared messages of support following her announcement.

What Is Smoldering Myeloma?

According to Blood Cancer UK, "Smoldering myeloma is the name given to myeloma that has no symptoms or signs of damage to your organs."

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Smoldering myeloma is an inactive, early form of the disease that does not cause symptoms or organ damage.

The charity says that people with smoldering myeloma usually do not need treatment right away. Instead, they undergo regular checkups so doctors can monitor whether the condition is progressing to active myeloma.

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According to the International Myeloma Foundation, smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic precursor stage of multiple myeloma (MM). While both conditions involve abnormal plasma cells, people with SMM have no symptoms or end-organ damage and are typically monitored rather than treated.

The disease generally progresses through precursor stages:

• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): The earliest stage before symptoms develop. MGUS is a benign precursor, and many people with MGUS never develop active myeloma.
• Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM): In some people, MGUS progresses to SMM, which remains asymptomatic. Over time, SMM can progress to active multiple myeloma, although the rate of progression varies from person to person.

How Is Smoldering Myeloma Managed?

People with smoldering myeloma are generally managed through active surveillance, with regular blood tests, imaging scans, and other monitoring to detect any signs that the disease is becoming active. Active monitoring is considered a safe approach for most patients.

Doctors may recommend treatment in certain situations, including:

• If tests show a very high risk of progression to active myeloma.
• If there are no symptoms but evidence, or a high risk, of damage to organs such as the bones or kidneys.
• As part of a clinical trial.