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.

Veteran Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, has died at the age of 71. As per the preliminary findings released by the District of Columbia's medical examiner, he passed away after suffering an aortic dissection.

Lindsey Graham Dies At 71

His office said, “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, Senator Lindsey Graham passed away after a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Graham was a prominent South Carolina Republican and former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for more than three decades. He had turned 71 years old just two days before his death.

In a statement on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump wrote: "Melania and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true American Patriot, one of the best people and Senators I have ever known. He was always there when our Nation needed him, and he gave everything he had to the people of South Carolina and the United States. We will miss him greatly. Our prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone who loved this truly great man."

The preliminary medical examiner’s report later confirmed that the underlying cause was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as the hardening of the arteries.

According to reports, a final death certificate will be issued after additional toxicological and microscopic testing.

Graham’s passing has sparked discussion about aortic dissection, a rare but extremely dangerous cardiovascular emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.

What Is An Aortic Dissection?

An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Blood surges through this tear, forcing the layers of the artery wall apart, effectively “dissecting” them.

When the wall of this aorta tears, blood flow to vital organs can become compromised, and the weakened artery may rupture, often leading to a fatal internal bleeding.

Why Is Aortic Dissection Dangerous?

Cardiologists consider aortic dissection to be one of the most life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. The condition can rapidly lead to complications like:

• Rupture of the aorta
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Multiple organ failure
• Sudden death

The risk of death significantly increases if the condition is not diagnosed and treated quickly.

There are several causes of aortic dissection. Major risk factors include hypertension, atherosclerosis, smoking, high cholesterol, connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve or previous heart surgery

In Graham's case, preliminary findings stated that the aortic dissection was caused due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, indicating that long-term hardening of the arteries likely contributed to the fatal tear.

Also read: Donald Trump Says Physical Checkup At Walter Reed 'Checked Out Perfectly' Amid Recent Health Scrutiny

Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

An aortic dissection often begins suddenly. As the symptoms of an aortic dissection can mimic those of a heart attack, immediate medical evaluation is essential. Symptoms may include:

• Pain that spreads to the back, neck, or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Sweating
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking
• Weak pulse in one arm compared with the other
• Leg pain or loss of circulation

How To Prevent It?

According to experts, the risk of aortic dissection can be reduced by making several lifestyle changes early on:

• Keeping blood pressure under control
• Managing cholesterol levels
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Treating pre-existing cardiovascular disease
• Undergoing regular screening if there is a family history of aortic disease

For many people with COPD, vigorous exercise can feel impossible because of breathlessness and fatigue. However, a latest study suggests that replacing sedentary time with light physical activity could still have substantial health benefits.

Why People With COPD Should Engage In Light Exercise?

People living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may not need intense workouts to improve their longevity anymore.

A new study involving more than 800 adults with COPD has found that even light physical activity, like walking, doing household chores, or simply spending less time sitting, was linked to a significantly lower risk of early death.

The findings offer hope for millions of people with COPD, a progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult, discouraging patients from being physically active. This study highlights an important message for COPD patients: every bit of movement matters.

How Was The Study Conducted?

After analyzing data from more than 800 participants, researchers found that those who spent more time engaged in light-intensity activities had better long-term survival than those who were largely inactive. The association remained even after accounting for factors including age, smoking history, disease severity, and other medical conditions.

"Our findings suggest that even modest increases in light physical activity may improve long-term survival in patients with COPD," the researchers said.

They added that encouraging patients to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting may be a realistic goal, especially for those who are unable to perform moderate or vigorous exercise.

Examples of light physical activity include slow walks around the neighborhood, gardening, light housework, standing while talking on the phone, or taking frequent movement breaks throughout the day. While these activities may seem small, researchers say they can add up to meaningful health benefits over time.

Also read: Who Was Martha Lillard? Last U.S. Polio Survivor To Depend On An Iron Lung Who Breathed Her Last At 78

Staying Active Matters for COPD

COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide. The disease gradually damages the lungs, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.

As symptoms worsen, many patients become less active, creating a cycle that can lead to weaker muscles, poorer physical function, and an even greater loss of independence.

The new findings promotes existing recommendations from respiratory health experts, who have always pushed people with COPD to remain as active as their condition safely allows.

Regular movement has been shown to improve muscle strength, reduce breathlessness during daily activities, enhance energy levels, support better sleep, and improve overall quality of life.

"This study reinforces the idea that every movement counts," experts say. Instead of focusing only on structured exercise sessions, patients may benefit from finding simple ways to move more throughout the day.

However, researchers caution that the study found an association rather than proving that light physical activity directly causes longer survival.

For people living with COPD, the takeaway is that improving health does not always require intense workouts. Sometimes, taking a few extra steps, standing up more often, or staying gently active throughout the day may be enough to make a meaningful difference and improve the quality of life.

A new study has found out what researchers call the strongest evidence yet that long COVID may directly injure the brain's dopamine system, offering an explanation for symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, poor memory, slowed movement, and lack of motivation that persist long after the initial infection.

Long COVID’s Effect On Dopamine System

While it has been a long time since the end of the COVID pandemic, its effects continue to linger even today. Several patients who contracted COVID continue to suffer. This is known as long COVID.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in movement, motivation, learning, reward, and memory.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto and published in the journal eBioMedicine, used advanced positron emission tomography (PET) scans to examine the brains of people living with long COVID.

They found significantly lower levels of a marker that reflects the health of dopamine-producing systems across key regions of the brain compared with healthy participants.

The researchers discovered that reductions in dopamine markers were closely tied to patients' symptoms. Lower dopamine activity in one region of the brain, known as the ventral striatum, was associated with a greater loss of motivation.

Reduced dopamine markers in the dorsal putamen were linked to slower movement, while declines in the caudate putamen correlated with memory problems.

"Our findings provide compelling evidence that long COVID involves the loss of dopamine-releasing neurons," said senior author Dr. Jeffrey Meyer. "We know that inflammation can injure dopamine neurons. While our earlier research showed high levels of inflammation in those regions, this study provides direct evidence that the dopamine neuron marker is reduced in the same regions, and that this loss correlates with patients' symptoms."

Also read: Who Was Martha Lillard? Last U.S. Polio Survivor To Depend On An Iron Lung Who Breathed Her Last At 78

Turning Point In Long COVID Research

Long COVID affects an estimated five percent of the global population and continues to leave millions struggling with persistent symptoms for months or even years after recovering from the initial infection.

Despite its widespread impact, there are currently no evidence-based treatments specifically approved for the condition because its underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood.

According to Dr. Meyer, the findings could mark a turning point in long COVID research. "These results indicate that long COVID is, at least in part, a disorder of the brain's dopamine system," he said. "This suggests that repurposing medications that augment the function of dopamine-releasing neurons, including dopamine precursors and inhibitors of dopamine metabolism, could be a promising approach."

The research also provides validation for many patients who have struggled to have their symptoms recognized.

"For five years I have been seeking answers on what happened to me after I contracted COVID in 2021," said Susan Deuville, a lived-experience research advisor involved in the project. "It was a crushing loss of the life I had and the person I was before. The research of Dr. Meyer brings hope. It also validates what long COVID sufferers have always known, long COVID is real and the effects are devastating."

The team plans to launch a clinical trial in the coming months to test whether existing medications that enhance dopamine function can improve memory, fatigue, and motivation in people with long COVID.