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 UK government has mandated that all schools across the country stock life-saving allergy pens from September under new statutory guidance known as Benedict's Law.

Published by the Department for Education (DfE), the guidance requires schools to keep adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), commonly known as allergy pens, on site. Teachers will also receive training to ensure they can respond quickly during emergencies, including administering the devices.

The nationwide rollout follows campaigning by the National Allergy Strategy Group and families, including Helen and Peter Blythe, parents of Benedict Blythe, who died after suffering an allergic reaction at school in 2021.

What Does the New Guidance Say

Under the new guidance, schools will also be expected to have clear allergy policies and healthcare plans, the DfE said.

"Today is a really important day for the thousands of families across the country who for too long have worried about keeping their children safe," said Education Minister Olivia Bailey.

"Benedict's Law means every single school will now have the training plans and the life-saving equipment in place to protect every child."

The statutory guidance, which sets out what schools must do to adhere to the law, will come into force in September.

From 2027, the same measures will become statutory duties and will apply to state schools, independent schools and fee-paying special schools. This means schools will be legally required to implement the changes.

What Happened To Benedict Blythe?

Also read: World Zoonoses Day 2026: Next Pandemic Very Likely, And The World Is Still Underprepared, Says WHO Scientist

Benedict Blythe died after accidental exposure to cow's milk protein while at Barnack Primary School, between Stamford and Peterborough, in December 2021.

Benedict was just 5 years old when he died following an allergic reaction at school.

On the morning of 1st December 2021, he opened his advent calendar and happily went off to class, a few hours later he collapsed and died from anaphylaxis. He was allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, sesame and chickpeas.

His mother, Helen Blythe, said she had worked with the school to put together an allergy action plan, but an inquest heard that process had not been followed.

"Had Benedict's Law and this guidance been in place when he'd been at school, he almost certainly would still be with us," Blythe said.

She noted that the Benedict's Law meant children would be "stepping into an education system far safer than the one that has come before," BBC reported.

She added there was a "significant gap" in schools' preparedness for children with allergies that would be addressed by Benedict's Law.

According to research by the Benedict Blythe Foundation, 50% of schools in England do not have any spare medication, one-third have no allergy policy, and 70% do not have all the measures now being introduced.

"The publication of this guidance is the beginning of a new era for allergy safety," Blythe said.

"It will improve the safety of hundreds of thousands of children and ensure around one and a half million adults working in schools have the knowledge and confidence to recognize an allergic reaction and respond quickly in an emergency."

What is Anaphylaxis?

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The Mayo Clinic defines anaphylaxis as a sudden, severe, and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as peanuts or bee stings.

Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Skin: itching, redness, swelling, hives that are widespread across the body
• Mouth and/or throat: itching, swelling of lips, tongue
• Stomach: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
• Respiratory: trouble breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and/or tightness
• Heart: weak pulse, dizziness, faintness
• Headache, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sweating
• Confusion, feeling of impending doom
• Loss of consciousness

How Do Allergy Pens Work?

The first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine (adrenaline), which is available by prescription as an auto-injector or nasal spray. It works by reversing the life-threatening symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

Delays in using epinephrine are common in fatal food allergy reactions. Other medications, such as antihistamines, are not adequate substitutes because they do not reverse airway swelling or raise dangerously low blood pressure.

Allergists advise that everyone with food allergies carry their epinephrine delivery device at all times, particularly those who have previously experienced anaphylaxis, have both food allergies and asthma, or are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, fish or crustacean shellfish.

While the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased awareness about zoonotic diseases, the world remains inadequately prepared for another outbreak, which is "very likely," according to Dr Mario Raviglione, consultant to a HPV project at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, on the occasion of World Zoonoses Day.

Observed every year on July 6, World Zoonoses Day aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—infections that spread between animals and humans. This year's theme, "One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses," underscores the close link between human, animal and environmental health, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID).

In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr Mario said the world has learned important lessons from COVID-19, but preparedness for the next zoonotic outbreak remains inadequate.

"The biggest lessons learned in my view are the understanding... that indeed we are in an era where pandemics could happen on a daily basis essentially," he said, noting that around three-quarters of emerging and re-emerging infections now originate in the animal world.

However, despite greater awareness among politicians, policymakers and health ministries, he said there is still no full understanding of the level of preparedness needed to confront future threats.

Risks Of Pandemics Are Increasing

According to Dr Mario, the factors driving zoonotic spillovers are becoming more intense rather than diminishing. He pointed to:

• Expanding human populations moving into previously wild areas

• Increasing proximity between humans and animals

• Rapidly growing livestock production

• Unrestricted animal trade

• Deforestation

• Biodiversity loss

• Greater contact with disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes.

Also read: Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research

"All of this put together tells us that the risk is high, that the risk is increasing, that the pandemic potential is definitely on an increase and, as a result, preparedness becomes really at this point an imperative," he said.

Plans Exist, But Funding Is Lacking

While acknowledging that many countries, particularly in Europe, now have pandemic preparedness plans, Dr Mario said these are often not backed by adequate financial commitments.

He said many countries continue to face shortages of trained human resources, laboratory capacity and disease surveillance systems. There are also insufficient links between human medicine, veterinary public health and environmental monitoring.

According to him, these shortcomings remain significant obstacles to effective preparedness and response during future epidemics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Surveillance And Laboratory Capacity Need Strengthening

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Dr Mario, also a consultant for a tuberculosis project with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), stressed that countries need stronger surveillance systems not only for human diseases but also for animals and the environment.

He also highlighted the need for improved laboratory capacity to identify emerging pathogens, stronger genomic surveillance, adequate facilities and trained personnel, and the ability to rapidly produce vaccines when needed.

"The environmental health is the one that is weaker... in terms of capacity to monitor," he said, describing it as the weakest component of the One Health triad.

One Health Approach Is Essential

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Dr Mario said zoonotic diseases emerge from interactions between humans, animals and the environment, making the One Health approach fundamental to future pandemic preparedness.

He described One Health as "an approach that unites human health, animal health and environmental health," recognizing that all three are interconnected.

He said practical implementation should include:

• Human disease surveillance

• Veterinary surveillance

• Biodiversity and wildlife monitoring

• Food safety systems

• Stronger diagnostic capacity

• Laboratory networks

• Antimicrobial resistance plans

• Research capability

• Adequate vaccine manufacturing capacity

Prevention Requires Sustained Investment

Despite the increased awareness following COVID-19, Dr Mario said preparedness ultimately depends on governments translating commitments into action through sustained investment.

He said countries need solid preparedness plans, practical implementation and adequate financing to build resilient systems capable of responding to future threats.

"If you think prevention is expensive, try the disease then," he said, underscoring the importance of investing in prevention.

Women who are conflicted while choosing between an injectable contraceptive, a copper intrauterine device (IUD) or a hormonal implant may not need to worry about its impact on human papillomavirus (HPV).

What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. While many HPV infections go away on their own without causing problems, some high-risk types can persist and increase the risk of cervical cancer in the long run.

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Before this study, scientists debated whether hormonal contraceptives could affect a woman's immune response, making it easier to contract HPV or harder for the body to clear the infection.

Birth Control Choice May Not Influence HPV Risk

According to a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Africa, your choice of contraception may not have an impact on the risk of contracting HPV.

Researchers found that women using a commonly used injectable contraceptive known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), copper IUDs, and levonorgestrel implants had similar chances of contracting HPV and clearing existing infections.

About The Lancet Study

Also read: You Can Still Get HPV If You're Not Sexually Active

The researchers examined data from women who participated in the large ECHO (Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes) clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three contraceptive methods:

• Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) injectable contraceptive

• Copper IUD

• Levonorgestrel implant

They then compared how often women acquired HPV during the study and how often those who already had HPV were able to clear the infection naturally. The analysis found no meaningful differences between the three contraceptive methods.

Women using the injectable contraceptive were no more likely to acquire HPV than those using a copper IUD or a hormonal implant. Similarly, women across all three groups cleared HPV infections at comparable rates.

Significance Of The Study

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Earlier studies finding the link between hormonal contraceptives and HPV have reported mixed results. Some suggested that hormonal birth control might increase the risk of HPV infection or make infections last longer, while others found no clear outcomes.

This new research provides stronger evidence because it is based on a randomized clinical trial. The findings suggest that the type of contraceptive a woman chooses is unlikely to have an impact on her risk of getting HPV or her body's ability to clear the infection.

Women Can Take Control Of Their Contraceptive Choice

The study allows women to choose between these commonly used contraceptive methods based on factors such as effectiveness, convenience, side effects, and personal preference, rather than concerns about HPV risk.

However, experts stress that no contraceptive method protects against sexually transmitted infections, including HPV. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV and other STIs.

The human papillomavirus causes more than 200 known infections. While some types lead to benign skin warts, others are responsible for severe health threats, such as cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancers. The HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the most lethal strains, avoiding long-term health complications.

The HPV vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight off high-risk strains of the virus before they cause harm. It protects against:

• Genital warts

• Cervical cancer

• Vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers

• Mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers linked to HPV

Experts also stress that HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening remain the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and detect abnormal changes early.