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 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached another concerning milestone. With a surging number of deaths and confirmed infections, the healthcare workers in the affected regions have threatened to declare a strike due to nonpayment of dues, making it challenging to contain a deadly and aggressive outbreak.

DRC Ebola Death Toll Reaches 600 With 1759 Confirmed Cases

According to Reuters, the total confirmed number of deaths due to Bundibugyo Ebola has reached 600, with 1,759 confirmed infections as of July 9.

This comes amid protests demonstrated by healthcare workers in the affected regions, who have threatened to walk off the job due to months of unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions.

The outbreak initially affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, but authorities are now investigating suspected cases in Tshopo province, including Kisangani, sparking concerns that new areas may be affected.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, has been spreading rapidly since it was declared on May 15.

Unlike the Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola virus, making containment and treatment efforts particularly challenging. Currently, experimental therapies are being examined through ongoing clinical trials.

Also read: Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed

Healthcare Workers Protests

The worsening outbreak could be even more challenging to contain as the frontline healthcare workers, including treatment staff, laboratory personnel, and burial teams, have been protesting nonpayment of salaries, insufficient protective equipment, and difficult working conditions.

According to several reports, many workers say they have not been paid since the outbreak began nearly two months ago. While some have already stopped working, others have warned that a mass walkout could further weaken the country’s Ebola response.

The administrative disruption significantly threatens critical epidemic operations like patient care, lab testing, contact tracing, and safe burial procedures, all of which are essential for slowing transmission and effectively containing the outbreak.

WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Is Still In Expansion Phase

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that the outbreak remains in an “expansion phase” due to several reasons, including overwhelmed treatment facilities, population movement, and delays in identifying and isolating infected individuals.

WHO also said that the treatment centers in some of the hardest-hit regions are operating near 90% capacity. Infection cases among healthcare workers are another concern that highlights the risks faced by frontline responders.

Misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit.

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo. The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, introducing the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with diabetes.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes require daily insulin to manage their blood glucose when diet, exercise, and oral medications are no longer sufficient.

The daily basal insulin injections are typically taken once every 24 hours. But Awiqli is designed to provide background insulin support throughout the week, reducing the ‌number ⁠of injections from 365 per year to 52, Novo said.

More than 101 million people in India are living with diabetes, ⁠while another 136 million have prediabetes, Novo said in a statement.

Insulin initiation in India is delayed by an average of 7-9 years, partly due to fear of injections, anticipated pain, and cost concerns, it said.

"We believe Awiqli will reduce the psychological and physical barriers to insulin initiation," Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya said.

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What is Awiqli?

Awiqli (insulin icodec) is a long-acting basal insulin designed to help adults with diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels with just one injection every week. It is administered using the Awiqli FlexTouch pen on the same day each week.

The treatment is intended to simplify insulin therapy, potentially improving treatment adherence among people who struggle with daily injections.

Global Approval

Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae) 700 units/mL as the first and only once-weekly basal insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes. The therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control.

The approval offers a new treatment option for patients seeking an alternative to daily basal insulin, allowing diabetes care to be tailored to different lifestyles and treatment preferences.

"Awiqli may address challenges associated with the frequency of daily basal injections by reducing them from seven to one per week. It is an important advancement for adults with type 2 diabetes who may benefit from an alternative treatment option," said Anna Windle, Group Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Novo Nordisk Inc.

Where Is It Available?

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The therapy has now been launched in India. Awiqli has also received regulatory approval in the US, the European Union, and 13 other countries, with indications varying according to local regulatory approvals.

Clinical Evidence

The approval is supported by Novo Nordisk's ONWARDS Phase 3a clinical program, which enrolled nearly 2,680 adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes across four randomized, active-controlled trials.

The studies compared once-weekly Awiqli with daily basal insulin and demonstrated effective reductions in HbA1c, a key measure of long-term blood sugar control. The overall safety profile was found to be consistent with existing daily basal insulin therapies.

Who Can Use It?

Awiqli is prescribed for adults with diabetes and should be used exactly as directed by a healthcare professional.

Patients should inject the medicine once every week on the same day. The dosage should not be adjusted without medical advice, the company said.

Are There Any Side Effects

Like other insulin therapies, Awiqli may cause side effects, including:

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Injection-site reactions
• Weight gain
• Skin thickening or pitting at injection sites (lipodystrophy)
• Allergic reactions
• Swelling of the hands or feet

Patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar regularly and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of severe allergic reactions or persistent hypoglycemia.

Who should not take Awiqli?

Do not take Awiqli if you:

• are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• have an allergy to Awiqli or any of the ingredients in Awiqli.

Global cancer cases could reach nearly 35 million a year by 2050, without urgent action to improve cancer prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Cancer 2026.

The report warns that cancer remains the world's second leading cause of death, claiming more than 26,000 lives every day and nearly 10 million annually.

The report, jointly released by the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), warned that major inequalities in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care continue to leave millions of people without access to life-saving services.

It also noted that ageing populations, population growth and persistent health inequalities are driving the cancer cases.

"Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"The inequities documented in this report are not inevitable; they are the consequence of choices, and they can be reversed through stronger and unified action."

Global Status Report on Cancer 2026: Key Findings

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Cancer survival varies sharply across countries

The report highlights major disparities in cancer outcomes.

• 87% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive at least five years in high-income countries.
• In low-income countries, the five-year survival rate falls to around 42%.
• Fewer than one in three countries include comprehensive cancer care under universal health coverage.

Cancer places a heavy financial burden on families

Beyond its health impact, cancer also creates significant economic and emotional challenges.

• At least 45% of people living with cancer experience financial hardship.
• More than half report mental health challenges.
• Nearly all caregivers experience strain, including unpaid caregiving responsibilities and social isolation.

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Which Regions Have the Highest Cancer Burden?

The report shows that the burden of cancer varies significantly across regions.

Asia

• Accounts for 50.7% of global cancer cases.
• Records 56.5% of cancer deaths worldwide.

Europe

Although home to only about 9% of the world's population, Europe accounts for:

• 21% of global cancer cases.
• 20% of global cancer deaths.

Africa

Many African countries continue to experience comparatively lower cancer incidence but disproportionately higher mortality because of delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment.

Most Common Types of Cancer Worldwide

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According to the WHO report:

• Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
• Among men, the most common cancers are:
  • Lung
  • Prostate
  • Colorectal
• Among women, the leading cancers are:
  • Breast
  • Lung
  • Colorectal

Nearly Four in Ten Cancer Cases Are Preventable

The report estimates that almost 40% of cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors, including:

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• High body weight
• Physical inactivity
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections
• Helicobacter pylori infection

WHO's Recommendations to Improve Global Cancer Care

The WHO has urged governments, health organizations, researchers and the private sector to work together to strengthen cancer care through three broad priorities:

Better capabilities

• Integrate cancer control into universal health coverage.
• Invest in cancer prevention, early detection and the healthcare workforce.

Better protections

• Put people living with cancer and caregivers at the centre of health systems.
• Expand financial and social protection for affected families.

Better value

• Align cancer research and innovation with public health priorities.
• Ensure equitable access to effective, evidence-based cancer treatments worldwide.