According to the Ministry of Health, each year more than six thousand cases of stomach cancer are detected in Mexico, of which 70% begin to be studied and treated in advanced stages of the disease. Among the greatest difficulties of its timely diagnosis are its symptoms, since many are similar to gastritis, indicated the statement from the Government of Mexico. Under this line, oncology specialists reported that people with stage 1 and 2 stomach cancer are in time to start a healing process.
Kirtan Nautiyal, oncologist and hematologist at Houston Methodist Hospital, indicated in a statement for NotiPress that the symptoms of this cancer include abdominal pain, involuntary weight loss, difficulty digesting, inflammation without an apparent cause, dark stools, uncontrolled acidity, and bleeding. . In case of noticing these difficulties in the digestive system, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist, in order to obtain timely care and observe the origin of the discomfort. Unlike digestive diseases like colon cancer, there is no screening test for stomach cancer.
The Houston Methodist Hospital specialist reported that the rate of recovery and survival from neoplasia depends on the progress of the cancer. From the fourth stage of the disease, when the cancer has infected other tissues outside the stomach, its prognosis becomes very poor. However, he indicated, “for people in stages 1 and 2 the cure rate is excellent”; For this reason, he stressed the importance of going to the doctor at the first discomfort. He also commented that family history plays an important role in caring for symptoms and seeking medical care.
Given the global cancer situation, the American Chemical Society (ACS) published research that opens up the possibilities for developing new cancer therapies with microbots. Using magnet technology and hydrogel sensitive to changes in pH, these little robots reach cancer cells to deliver small doses of chemotherapy treatment. With this experimental treatment, oncologists could reduce the aggressive side effects that usually occur in chemotherapy.
Finally, Nautiyal reported that in addition to hereditary factors, there are bacterial infections with the ability to accelerate the development of gastric cancer. In Mexico and Central America there are many infections caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes ulcers, abdominal pain, and uncontrolled acidity in the stomach.
