There are four major symptoms of early gastric cancer and eight daily measures to prevent gastric cancer.

Nowadays, due to high work pressure and mental stress, people often have irregular eating habits, leading to frequent stomach problems and even stomach cancer. So, what are the early symptoms of stomach cancer? And how should it be treated? Let’s explore these together below.

Early Symptoms of Stomach Cancer:

1. Fullness and discomfort in the upper abdomen:
   • This is a common early symptom of stomach cancer. Although other symptoms may not be evident, this feeling of vague discomfort in the upper abdomen is present in most patients. It is often described as a dull, bloating sensation that occurs without clear cause, usually appearing at rest and disappearing during activity or when distracted. Dietary adjustments may have limited effects.
2. Upper abdominal pain:
   • This symptom, found in early-stage stomach cancer patients, initially presents as intermittent dull pain, gradually increasing and becoming persistent.
3. Loss of appetite, acid reflux, belching, indigestion:
   • These are common digestive symptoms. The appearance of these symptoms is usually unexplained, characterized by poor appetite and disinterest in favorite foods, especially aversion to meat or greasy foods. Even after changing the diet, the effect may still be unsatisfactory, or improvement may be followed by a recurrence of appetite loss. These symptoms occur in about 68% of cases.
4. Positive fecal occult blood or black stools:
   • This symptom is one of the common manifestations during the period of stomach cancer. It manifests as a positive occult blood result.

Preventive Measures for Stomach Cancer:

1. Consume less or avoid pickled foods to reduce the intake of nitrosamine precursors. Refrigerate food for storage.
2. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Increase the consumption of legumes, milk, fresh fish, meat, and eggs. Encourage the use of garlic and green tea.
3. Consume less smoked, fried, and pan-fried fish and meat. Preferably use braising or steaming methods.
4. Adopt a low-salt diet and reduce salt intake.
5. Change poor eating habits, eat on time, avoid overeating, and avoid consuming hard foods too quickly or too hot.
6. Avoid strong alcoholic drinks and do not smoke.
7. Maintain a positive and optimistic mindset.
8. Patients with chronic gastritis should seek timely treatment, undergo regular gastroscopy or X-ray examination of the stomach and intestines. Conduct comprehensive examinations and treatments for stomach cancer and precancerous lesions in high-incidence areas and high-risk populations.