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.

Fraser Olender, known from Below Deck, recently shared that he was hospitalized with a lung injury and a heart attack linked to vaping. The 33-year-old posted photos from his hospital bed and explained that the episode began with sudden chest pain and trouble breathing. He later learned that he had developed EVALI, or E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, along with a coronary artery vasospasm that reduced blood flow to his heart. His experience has renewed questions about the real risks of vaping, especially for young adults who may assume it is a safer option.

Deck’s Fraser Olender Says Vaping Triggered His Heart Attack

Olender described being rushed to the hospital after severe chest discomfort and breathlessness. Over the next week, doctors ran tests and confirmed that he had EVALI, a condition first identified in 2019. It can include several serious complications, such as bronchiolitis obliterans and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Many patients require intensive care.

During his evaluation, doctors also found that his arteries had tightened suddenly, cutting off oxygen to part of his heart. This led to an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a type of heart attack usually caused by a blocked artery. In his case, there was no blockage. The spasm alone was enough to trigger the event.

What Is Coronary Artery Vasospasm?

A coronary artery vasospasm occurs when the vessels supplying blood to the heart contract sharply. Reduced blood flow deprives the heart muscle of oxygen. When this lasts long enough, it can cause injury similar to a traditional heart attack. Vaping can contribute to these spasms by irritating blood vessels, upsetting the balance of oxygen in the lungs, and releasing chemicals that cause inflammation.

Cardiologists note that nicotine and other compounds in vape aerosols can cause the blood vessels to narrow, raise heart rate, and place stress on the heart even in otherwise healthy adults.

Why Doctors Warn About EVALI

EVALI has been linked to a wide range of vaping products. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, gastrointestinal upset, and fatigue. The condition inflames the lungs and interferes with oxygen exchange, which increases pressure on the heart. For some people, the damage appears suddenly, even after periods of regular use without symptoms.

Olender’s Recovery and Warning to Others

Olender wrote that the pain during the episode was intense and unrelenting. Multiple rounds of morphine offered little relief. He said the incident convinced him to quit vaping immediately.

He urged others to stop as well, calling the habit a needless risk. He added that soon after quitting, he noticed improvements in his skin and overall energy, something he had not expected.

Vaping is often marketed as a cleaner alternative to smoking, yet its long-term effects on the lungs and heart remain uncertain. Olender’s story highlights the need for awareness. Sudden heart complications, vessel spasms, and lung injury can occur in people with no prior health issues. Doctors continue to study the chemicals released in aerosols and how they affect blood vessels, lung tissue, and the cardiovascular system.

Hep B Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel voted Friday to change the recommendation for when children should get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Instead of a first dose within 24 hours of birth — as the CDC has advised for more than 30 years, which is the panel voted to recommend delaying it until a child is 2 months old for children born to mothers who test negative for the virus.

The advisory committee has now endorsed a plan that allows families of infants born to hepatitis B negative mothers to decide, with their doctor, when the birth dose should be given. The vote was 8 to 2 in favour of shifting to case-by-case discussions rather than a universal early dose.

Hep B Vaccine: CDC Panel Recommends Delaying Birth Dose Of Hepatitis B Vaccine

A number of medical bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposed the proposal. They cautioned that delaying this first shot exposes infants to unnecessary danger and pointed to extensive evidence confirming the vaccine’s long record of safety and effectiveness.

The vote came during the second day of the committee’s December session, after confusion on Thursday forced the group to postpone making a decision.

All members of the panel were appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The meeting opened with the reading of the draft language, followed by extended debate among committee members and invited specialists. Restef Levi, a panel member with a mathematics background and no clinical training, spoke forcefully against the long-standing policy and made incorrect claims about how the vaccine had been evaluated.

Senior paediatric experts, including Dr Cody Meissner, a former member of both the FDA vaccines panel and ACIP, and committee member Dr Joseph Hibbeln, continued to raise objections throughout the discussion. Hibbeln pointed out that this was the fourth iteration of the wording presented to them in a span of roughly four days and said that no solid scientific evidence had been offered to justify changing the recommendation. Meissner argued that the current guidance already permits parental choice and said revising the language would do more harm than good.

Hep B Vaccine: What Is It About?

Hepatitis B is an incurable viral infection that can lead to chronic liver disease, cancer and early death. The United States has recommended the newborn hepatitis B dose since 1991. Since then, infections in infants and children have dropped by 99 per cent.

ACIP’s recommendations now move to the CDC director for a final decision. States ultimately determine their own vaccination rules, though most follow federal guidance. Insurance coverage may also shift if the recommendation changes, because private insurers rely heavily on ACIP decisions to determine what must be covered.

The newborn dose has become a focal point for vaccine critics, including Kennedy, who wrongly suggested earlier this year that the shot might be linked to autism. Studies have repeatedly shown the birth dose is safe. Research has found no higher risk of infant death, fever, sepsis, multiple sclerosis or autoimmune conditions. Severe adverse reactions remain rare, and there is no evidence that delaying the dose offers any safety advantage.

Hepatitis B: A Contentious 2-day Meeting

Following Friday’s vote, the committee was scheduled to move on to childhood vaccine schedules and vaccine ingredients. No additional votes were on the agenda.

The meeting opened Thursday morning, with the hepatitis B vote originally planned for that afternoon. Members reviewed data on acute and chronic hepatitis B rates, transmission patterns and vaccine safety.

Meissner criticised several of the presentations, including one that suggested limited safety information for the newborn dose.

Dr Jason Goldman, who represents the American College of Physicians on the committee, called the session “completely inappropriate” and said the group was wasting public resources by failing to hold a rigorous scientific debate. He also reminded the panel that the newborn dose has never been compulsory and that parents already make decisions in consultation with their child’s doctor.

The vote was postponed after members said they had been shown multiple shifting versions of the voting questions and could not see the final text due to a technical glitch. Without printed copies available, some members said they were unclear on how many questions they were expected to vote on. Hibbeln remarked that the committee was being asked to consider “a moving target.”

Similar disorder occurred at ACIP’s September meeting, when members appeared confused about what they were voting on. They initially rejected funding for a combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine for toddlers, then reversed themselves minutes later, and then changed direction again the following day.

Hep B Vaccine: Why Are Newborns Vaccinated For Hepatitis B?

Infants who contract hepatitis B at birth or during their first year face a ninety per cent likelihood of developing chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. About a quarter of those who develop long-term infection die early from related complications.

Because the virus spreads through blood and body fluids and can survive on surfaces, many schools and childcare centres require children to be vaccinated.

The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of administering the birth dose as early as possible. Dr Sean O’Leary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, told CBS News before the meeting that the vaccine has one of the strongest safety records in paediatrics. He said it remains one of the most dependable tools for preventing severe liver disease and cancer in adulthood.

A routine cold or flu often brings the usual set of problems, such as a cough, a sore throat, or a blocked nose. Yet an NHS doctor has urged people to pay close attention to one particular symptom, as it can sometimes point to a more serious illness. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, , Dr Aziza spoke with hosts Rav Wilding and Louise Minchin about a sign many people overlook, especially during winter virus season. Anyone at home who notices the same change has been advised to seek medical help promptly.

This Common Cold Symptom Could Be Cancer

Cold and flu infections frequently cause swollen glands, along with the typical symptoms of fever, congestion, and throat discomfort. This swelling is usually harmless and occurs when the body gears up to clear out germs. During the programme, Dr Aziza explained that when people refer to “swollen glands,” they are often talking about lymph nodes, which are small, bean-shaped filters that trap viruses and bacteria. These nodes sit in groups around the neck, under the arms, and in the groin.

The doctor noted that swelling is a natural sign that the immune system is responding to a problem. It happens with common colds, flu, ear infections, and sore throats. Sometimes people may actually be feeling swollen salivary glands rather than lymph nodes, as these glands can become blocked as well.

Other Conditions That May Trigger Swelling

Although viral infections are the usual cause, swollen glands can also result from bacterial infections such as cellulitis, reactions to insect bites, changes in hormones, or occasionally after certain vaccinations. Most cases settle on their own within a week or two. Dr Aziza recommended rest, plenty of fluids, and standard pain relief to help ease discomfort. She advised against massaging the swollen areas because it can make the pain worse.

When Swollen Glands Need Medical Attention

While swelling is typically short-lived, there are times when it should not be ignored. Dr Aziza urged viewers to book a GP appointment if the glands remain enlarged for more than two weeks, feel firm or fixed in place, or seem to be getting larger. Additional warning signs include constant night sweats, a continuing fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and swelling that appears above or below the collarbone. These features may point to more serious conditions such as lymphoma or other cancers.

She explained that doctors may arrange blood tests, an ultrasound scan, or antibiotics if a bacterial infection is suspected. However, any breathing or swallowing problems require urgent medical assessment, and in some cases, A&E.

Why Early Detection Matters

Dr Aziza highlighted that catching serious conditions early gives people a better chance of successful treatment and, in many cases, less invasive care. She encouraged everyone to become familiar with how their lymph nodes normally feel by carrying out simple monthly checks. This can be done by looking in the mirror and gently examining the neck, jawline, ears, armpits, and groin for changes in size, tenderness, or redness.

Being aware of small differences can help people seek help sooner if something feels unusual. More detailed advice on swollen glands and when to see a doctor is available on the NHS website.