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.

Andhra Pradesh is set to launch a Rare Disease Policy, aligned with the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, to improve diagnosis, treatment, and financial support for patients living with rare diseases.

The proposed policy will provide free diagnostic tests, specialized treatment, and financial assistance to affected families, Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav announced while addressing the Rare Diseases Care and Draft Policy Consultation at Dr NTR University of Health Sciences.

What's Included in Andhra Pradesh's Rare Disease Policy?

As part of the proposed policy, the state government plans to:

• Establish referral cents for rare diseases in Kurnool, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam.
• Explore designating a government hospital as a Centre of Excellence for rare disease treatment.
• Create a state registry for diseases identified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to better understand the disease burden.
• Introduce universal newborn (neonatal) screening to enable early detection of rare diseases.
• Mobilize donor support to help patients meet the high cost of treatment.

The minister said the government is committed to ensuring access to quality healthcare for rare disease patients regardless of their financial status. He also stressed the importance of increasing public awareness to facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Also read: How AI Is Transforming Early Diagnosis of Rare Diseases

Further, to improve access to treatment, the state will hold a meeting with pharmaceutical companies in the first week of July to discuss the production, availability, and distribution of medicines for rare diseases.

The government also plans to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to provide financial and other support to patients.

Health Secretary S. Suresh Kumar said integrating rare disease patients with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission would improve treatment tracking and continuity of care. NGOs, caregivers, patients, and medical experts participating in the consultation welcomed the government's initiative and offered recommendations for the draft policy.

What Is the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD)?

The National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, was introduced to improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and financial assistance for patients with rare diseases.

The policy classifies rare diseases into three categories:

• Diseases that can be treated with a one-time curative intervention.
• Diseases requiring long-term or lifelong treatment.
• Diseases for which effective treatment is still under research.

Under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme, eligible patients can receive financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh for specified rare diseases covered under the policy.

Read More: Ebola Outbreak: The Unique Symptoms Seen In Patients Infected With Bundibugyo

What Is a Rare Disease?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a rare disease as a chronic, often debilitating or life-threatening condition affecting one or fewer people per 1,000 population.

According to the WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), more than 5,500 rare diseases have been identified, while globally there are an estimated over 7,000 distinct rare diseases affecting more than 300 million people.

In India, a disease is generally considered rare if it affects fewer than one in 2,500 people. Most rare diseases are genetic and are frequently misdiagnosed because of limited awareness, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate access to specialized care.

According to estimates by the Foundation for Research on Rare Diseases and Disorders, more than 70 million Indians are living with rare diseases. Common examples include Gaucher disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and lysosomal storage disorders.

Despite affecting relatively small numbers individually, rare diseases collectively represent a significant public health challenge due to limited treatment options, delayed diagnosis, and the high financial burden on patients and their families.

Europe is enduring an unprecedented June heatwave, with temperatures reaching as high as 43.8°C and several countries breaking national records. The extreme weather has forced authorities to issue red alerts, restrict public activities, deploy cooling centers, limit alcohol sales and warn of worsening health risks.

France, Spain and the UK Break Temperature Records

France has been among the worst-hit countries. On June 24, it recorded its hottest day on record, with an average national temperature of 30.0°C, surpassing previous records set in July 2019 and August 2003, according to Météo-France. Temperatures peaked at 43.8°C in the western town of Pulluau, while overnight temperatures also set a new national record.

A record 58 French departments were placed under the highest-level red alert as officials warned of an elevated risk of forest fires amid worsening drought conditions. Forty people reportedly died in drowning accidents during the intense heat, UN News reported.

Spain also recorded its hottest June days on record on June 23 and 24, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several locations.

In the UK, the Met Office issued a red extreme heat warning and reported a provisional June record of 36.1°C at Gosport in southern England.

Germany issued widespread red alerts, including for Bonn, Frankfurt and Cologne, while Swiss cities such as Geneva, Basel and Zurich were also placed under red alert.

WMO Warns of More Extreme Heat

Also read: Heatwave Linked To 212 Deaths In Spain: How Does Heat Impact Health?

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the heatwave is expected to spread across Western, Central and Southern Europe over the next two weeks. The agency said temperatures are forecast to remain between 3°C and 10°C above average, with daily highs exceeding 35°C across many areas and locally crossing 40°C.

The WMO also warned of more frequent "tropical nights," when temperatures remain above 20°C overnight, preventing the body from recovering from daytime heat.

Hospitals Under Pressure, Paris Restricts Alcohol Sales

The worsening conditions have disrupted healthcare services, with media reports saying hospitals have had to postpone critical imaging scans after sensitive equipment overheated. Cities have also opened emergency cooling centers to protect vulnerable residents.

In Paris, authorities have announced temporary bans on public alcohol consumption and takeaway alcohol sales to ease pressure on hospitals. Public drinking will be prohibited from noon to 7 a.m. over the weekend, while takeaway alcohol sales will be banned between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Licensed bars and restaurants are exempt.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the country's highest health alert level had been activated to boost hospital staffing and protect vulnerable people.

"We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities," said Paris police chief Patrice Faure, while speaking to local media.

Faure has also asked organizers of the Pride march and the Solidays music festival to cancel their events because of the continuing heatwave.

Read More: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know

Formula 1 Declares Heat Hazard

The extreme temperatures have also reached the sporting world. Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has declared another "heat hazard" ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring, triggering additional measures to protect drivers, teams and spectators.

"Europe's savage heatwave has the fingerprints of the climate crisis all over it", said United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell. He has called for "a faster shift to renewables, protecting forests and boosting climate resilience".

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, with cases rising to 1,155 and deaths climbing to 304, as per the latest government data.

The figures represent the total confirmed cases as of June 24, according to a situation report which documented 37 new cases and five new deaths in the previous 24 hours. Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu remain the most affected provinces in Congo.

Experimental treatments

Also read: Ebola Outbreak: The Unique Symptoms Seen In Patients Infected With Bundibugyo

The US is now providing doses of an experimental Ebola treatment developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical for clinical trials in Congo.

The experimental therapy, known as MBP134, was developed by San Diego-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical. While the US had previously kept its stockpile for potential use in exposed American citizens, it is now making doses available to support clinical research in Congo. This is the first time Washington has publicly committed stockpiled supplies of the treatment for a broader international trial.

According to the World Health Organization, researchers will test MBP134 both on its own and alongside the antiviral drug remdesivir, marketed as Veklury. Remdesivir became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic and is being evaluated to see whether it can improve outcomes when combined with the antibody treatment.

Ebola: Scientists Lack Access To Virus Samples

The ongoing outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. However, scientists racing to develop vaccines and therapies are hampered by the lack of a viable sample of the virus.

“There’s nothing like having the authentic isolate,” said Thomas Geisbert, Professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, who helped develop previous Ebola vaccines, Bloomberg reported.

“Despite so many cases, the global scientific community has not obtained a clinical sample to isolate the virus for the needed animal challenge studies,” added Jennifer Serwanga, head of immunology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the report said.

Ebola: WHO Warns Spread to South Sudan

Further, as per a new WHO modelling study published in The Lancet, the growing Congo Ebola outbreak, which has already spread to Uganda, has a 70 per cent chance of reaching South Sudan soon.

The study combined epidemic modelling with spillover estimation to quantify regional risks associated with the 2026 Ituri outbreak using laboratory-confirmed case data from WHO Situation Reports (33 cases as of May 18, 2026, to 598 cases as of June 8, 2026), with projections extending 12 weeks from May 18 to Aug. 10, 2026. It also integrates operational preparedness considerations relevant for neighboring countries.

The report showed that even with the intensified response within DR Congo, uncertainty remains around reported case numbers due to the low rate of contact tracing.

“Sustained control nonetheless remains the primary determinant of regional risk: importation into Uganda is already established, and South Sudan must continue to reinforce infection prevention and control, rapid response capacity, and cross-border surveillance under International Health Regulations 2005,” said researchers from the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.

The report called for:

1. Enhanced surveillance at formal and informal points of entry to detect suspected cases early and prevent silent transmission.
2. Strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in front-line health facilities to reduce nosocomial transmission and protect health-care workers.
3. Train, equip, and pre-position rapid response teams for immediate deployment.