In a recent interview, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Director General S. Somanath spoke about his stomach cancer diagnosis and recovery journey. S. Somanath said he discovered the growth on his stomach on the day of launch of his solar exploration mission 'Aditya-L1'. “The day Aditya-L1 was launched, I conducted a scan that morning. That's when I noticed that my belly was getting bigger. I got a clue about it as soon as the launch happened.” said the ISRO chief in a Malayalam interview with Tarmac Media House. Once the problem was identified, he underwent surgery and chemotherapy and is now “cured” of stomach cancer caused by a genetic disease. (Also read: Minimize your cancer risk with these simple lifestyle changes)
“After Aditya-L1, I was advised to undergo surgery. The surgery was done. Then I underwent chemotherapy,” he said.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is a growth of cells that develops from the lining of the stomach and can be caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking or eating highly processed or salty foods. Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and the incidence of stomach cancer has increased in India over the past decade due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of salty and processed foods. There is.
Why stomach cancer is considered deadly
“The stomach is an organ that holds food and helps the intestines with subsequent digestion. Even when malignant tumors are very large, the stomach is a highly expandable structure to accommodate food, so disease is usually quite severe. You don't notice the symptoms until it's advanced,' says Dr. Vinay Gaikwad, head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
Gaikwad said gastric cancer is known to be aggressive and grow rapidly, which increases the risk of death.
“The main cause for concern is that gastric tumors usually have aggressive tumor biology, meaning they are highly malignant in nature and grow rapidly. Symptoms can sometimes be deceptive and very vague. Abdominal pain and a sour feeling are typical. “It should not be taken seriously until the disease is well advanced,” he added.
Causes of stomach cancer
Dr Gaikwad says there are many factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer, but the actual cause of the disease is still unknown.
- Helicobacter pylori infection is a major risk factor that can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and increase the likelihood of stomach cancer over time.
- An increased risk of stomach cancer can result from certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating a diet high in pickled, smoked, or salty foods.
- Older age, male sex, obesity, and exposure to radiation or chemicals are additional risk factors. Although stomach cancer does not occur frequently in people with these risk factors, living a healthy lifestyle and limiting exposure to recognized risk factors can reduce your chances of contracting this deadly disease. helps lower the
Symptoms of stomach cancer
“Stomach cancer has a variety of symptoms, some of which may be mild at first, but become more noticeable as the disease worsens, and are common with stomach cancer. Constant discomfort or pain in the abdomen, especially in the upper abdomen. is often an early sign. If the tumor grows and interferes with digestion, eating even small amounts of food can cause unwanted weight loss, loss of appetite, and feelings of fullness,” says Gaikwad. the doctor says.
“Nausea or vomiting, especially after eating, as well as difficulty swallowing or feeling like food is stuck in your throat, can also be signs of stomach cancer. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, these symptoms can vary. The intensity is strong and may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and bloody stools,” the oncologist added.
Prevention of stomach cancer
Research shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C and vitamin C-rich foods, including vegetables and fruits, may help prevent stomach cancer. According to a report from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, increasing intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruits may reduce the risk of stomach cancer, while salty and salted foods may reduce the risk of stomach cancer. May be a risk factor.
Treatment of stomach cancer
Treatment options are also quite complex, including chemotherapy, major surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes targeted therapy.
“The important thing is to recognize symptoms early and get the appropriate tests to rule out or confirm the disease. People with family history of cancer should also get tested. Smoking and drinking “Avoid avoidance. Smoked foods are also harmful. Prevention is better than treatment for stomach cancer, especially when it comes to stomach cancer. To overcome this dangerous cancer, Awareness and early detection are key,” concludes Dr. Gaikwad.
