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.

Planning an overseas holiday this summer? The UK government is urging British travellers to be aware of the dangers of methanol poisoning.

The warning comes after reports of British nationals becoming seriously ill or dying after unknowingly consuming alcohol tainted with methanol in popular tourist destinations.

The UK government has now added warnings about methanol poisoning to its travel advice for 29 destinations, including popular holiday hotspots such as Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam.

"We are working to raise awareness of the warning signs of methanol poisoning and urge anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to seek immediate medical attention, helping British nationals stay safe overseas," said Minister for Consular Hamish Falconer MP.

He urged travelers to check the latest travel advice before departure and act immediately if they suspect methanol poisoning.

UK Launches 'Know the Signs' Campaign

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite: CDC, FDA Trace Outbreak In 5 States To Taco Bell Lettuce Supplier

As part of its 'Know the Signs' campaign, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has released new videos featuring the families and friends of British nationals who died after unknowingly drinking methanol-contaminated alcohol overseas.

The campaign includes first-hand testimonies from survivors and bereaved families to raise awareness of the warning signs and encourage travelers to seek urgent medical help if methanol poisoning is suspected.

"No one expects a holiday to end in tragedy, yet methanol poisoning can have devastating—and sometimes fatal—consequences. The courage of survivors and bereaved families in sharing their experiences will help raise awareness and could save lives," Falconer added.

What Is Methanol?

Methanol is a highly toxic industrial alcohol that can sometimes be present in counterfeit, illegally produced or contaminated alcoholic drinks.

As little as 30 ml—about one shot—can be fatal for an adult, while even smaller amounts can cause permanent blindness, brain damage and other life-threatening complications.

One of the biggest dangers is that there is no reliable way to tell whether alcohol has been contaminated. Symptoms often do not appear until 12 to 24 hours after drinking, delaying life-saving treatment.

Know the Warning Signs

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Early symptoms of methanol poisoning may resemble ordinary alcohol intoxication or a hangover, making it easy to miss.

Warning signs include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Blurred or disturbed vision
• Difficulty breathing

Vision problems and breathlessness typically develop 12 to 48 hours after consuming contaminated alcohol.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms after drinking alcohol abroad should seek emergency medical attention immediately, as early treatment can be life-saving.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The UK government advises travellers to:

• Buy alcohol only from reputable bars, restaurants, hotels and licensed retailers.
• Choose sealed bottles or cans whenever possible.
• Avoid homemade, bootleg or street-sold alcohol.
• Do not accept free shots or cocktails from unknown sources.
• Be cautious of unusually cheap or heavily discounted alcoholic drinks claiming to be premium brands.
• Take extra care with spirit-based drinks served as shots, cocktails, buckets or "on the rocks."
• Check the latest travel advice before travelling.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have traced an ongoing Cyclospora outbreak in at least five states to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to select Taco Bell restaurants.

The agencies have advised consumers: "Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia."

The FDA identified Taylor Farms as the supplier of the shredded iceberg lettuce served at the affected Taco Bell locations, where it is linked to illnesses in more than 1,644 people.

Taylor Farms is one of the world's largest producers of fresh salads and ready-to-eat foods, with production facilities across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe.

The FDA is working with the company to determine whether the contaminated lettuce was distributed to other businesses. Taco Bell has voluntarily removed the affected ingredients from the impacted restaurants.

The Cyclospora outbreak has been reported in more than 30 states. The CDC said this investigation is separate from other Cyclospora outbreaks currently being monitored nationwide.

Also read: H5N1 Bird Flu Reaches New Zealand; 12 Human Infections Reported Worldwide

Michigan Worst Affected

Michigan has reported the highest number of cases, with state officials identifying leafy lettuce as the leading suspected source after interviewing more than 1,000 patients.

As of July 16, the state had reported more than 4,300 cases and at least 100 hospitalizations linked to the outbreak.

More Than 5,100 Cases Under Review

According to the CDC, 1,645 confirmed US cases have been reported since May 1, while more than 5,100 cases are under review to determine whether the infections were acquired domestically.

No deaths have been reported, although officials warned that confirmed case numbers could continue to increase through the end of August.

Taco Bell Responds

Earlier this week, Taco Bell said it has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited fresh ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution.

Notices posted at some Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants last week informed customers that the chain was temporarily unable to serve lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall, according to media reports.

The company said it will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidance from public health authorities.

"The health and safety of our guests is our top priority," Taco Bell said in a statement.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Health officials recommend:

• Avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from affected Taco Bell locations.
• Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water, even if they are labeled pre-washed.
• Follow safe food-handling practices.
• Stay updated on food recalls and outbreak alerts.
• Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Experts also recommend choosing whole heads of lettuce instead of bagged greens. Remove the outer leaves, wash the inner leaves thoroughly under running water, and cook produce whenever possible, as heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora.

Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne intestinal illness. People become infected after consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure, although they can appear anywhere from two days to more than two weeks later. Common symptoms include:

• Prolonged watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Fatigue

The CDC also advises people with persistent diarrheal illness to specifically request testing for Cyclospora, as routine stool tests do not always screen for the parasite.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus has been detected in New Zealand for the first time, raising concerns for the country's native birds.

NZ health authorities confirmed the virus in a wild seabird while stressing that there is currently no evidence of wider transmission within the country.

The infected bird, a brown skua, was found on Petone Beach in Wellington on July 10 and tested positive for H5N1. The detection comes just weeks after the virus was confirmed in Australia, a development that had prompted New Zealand authorities to prepare for its possible arrival. the country now confirming 14 infections.now confirming 14 infections.

New Zealand Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the case appears to be isolated.

"There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand," Hoggard said, while urging the public to remain vigilant and report sick or dead birds.

Health and wildlife officials have launched enhanced surveillance to determine whether additional infections emerge in wild bird populations.

Global Human Cases Remain Rare but Serious

Also read: Australia’s H5N1 Detection Marks End Of Last Virus-Free Continent

The latest H5N1 detection comes as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in June, reported identifying 12 human H5N1 infections outside the US between August 4, 2025, and June 10, 2026.

According to the CDC, the cases were reported in:

• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• India

Importantly, the CDC said no person-to-person transmission was identified in any of these cases. Most infections occurred after direct or close contact with infected poultry or other sick animals.

The agency said the international cases do not change its assessment that the risk of H5N1 to the general public remains low, but they reinforce the need for continued monitoring.

Cambodia's Ministry of Health on July 9 confirmed the fifth H5N1 human infection of 2026, in a 9-month-old girl from Phnom Penh. It is the 39th case in the country in the last three years.

Why Surveillance Matters

The CDC noted that sporadic human infections are expected as H5N1 continues circulating widely among wild birds and poultry across multiple regions.

"While rare, these H5N1 bird flu cases in humans underscore the need for strong systems to monitor and prepare for influenza," the agency said, calling for robust surveillance and testing.

Read More: Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: US Probes Taco Bell Link; CDC Reviews Over 5,100 Cases

Bird Flu Viruses That Can Infect Humans

Scientists have identified five avian influenza virus subtypes capable of infecting humans:

• A(H5)
• A(H6)
• A(H7)
• A(H9)
• A(H10)

Although the overall risk to the public remains low, health experts called for continued surveillance in birds, animals, and humans, which will be essential as H5N1 continues to spread geographically.

How To Protect Yourself

Health authorities recommend the following precautions:

• Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals whenever possible.
• Observe wildlife from a safe distance.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) if handling sick or dead birds or animals is unavoidable.
• Avoid touching surfaces contaminated with bird droppings, saliva, mucus, litter, or bedding from infected or suspected animals.
• Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products, particularly from animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza.
• Report sick or dead birds to local authorities if encountered.