FAQs about Gastrointestinal Cancers

FAQs about Gastrointestinal Cancers

The term Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers refer to cancers affecting the organs in the digestive system. The GI tract includes the food pipe, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small and large intestine, rectum and anus.

What Cancers affect the digestive system?

The following cancers are considered to be GI cancers or
those affecting the digestive system:

• Food pipe or Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Biliary system
• Pancreas
• Small and large intestine
• Rectum
• Anus

How do you get Stomach Cancer?

While the exact cause of stomach cancer is not known, individuals affected by gastritis, polyps and pernicious anemia, can have a higher chance of developing the disease. Poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, smoking and a history of cancer in the family could also be a factor in the development of the disease.

Is stomach cancer curable?

Like all cancers, stomach cancer can be cured with surgery, chemo or radiation therapy. In advanced stages, however, when cancer metastasises and spreads to other organs, the treatment can be challenging and the prognosis may depend on the location of the cancer and the overall health of the patient.

How long does stomach cancer take to develop?

Stomach cancer is a slow-growing cancer and usually develops within a span of one year or more. However, due to lack of symptoms in the earlier stages, it isn’t often diagnosed till it has already spread to other organs.

What are the various risk factors for stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer generally affects people over the age of
50-55. Men are also more likely than women to be affected by the disease. Other
factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer include:

• Obesity
• GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Gastritis
• Stomach polyps
• Poor diet
• Family history
• Smoking
• Tumours elsewhere in the digestive tract
• History of gastric surgery
• Common variable immune deficiency (CVID)
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Type A blood type

How can stomach cancer be prevented?

Those at risk for stomach cancer, can take the following steps to prevent the disease:

• Maintaining
  a healthy weight & exercise regularly
• Stop
  tobacco
• Limit
  alcohol consumption
• Limit
  salty and processed food