The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates there’ll be approximately 28,000 new cases of stomach cancer in 2017.
Symptoms of stomach cancer
Some of the common symptoms may include:
- Unexplained weight loss – Lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss are common signs of cancer.
- Stomach pain – Abdominal discomfort or pain in the abdomen above the navel could be a symptom of stomach cancer. Also, swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen may also be caused by stomach cancer.
- Feeling full – Stomach cancer patients often experience a sense of “fullness” in the upper abdomen after eating small meals.
- Heartburn – Indigestion, heartburn or symptoms similar to an ulcer may be signs of stomach cancer.
- Nausea and vomiting – Stomach cancer patients have symptoms including nausea and throwing up, and sometimes the vomit may have blood in it.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Anyone suffering these symptoms should consult their physician who will conduct a series of tests Including an Upper GI series, endoscopy and biopsy, and CT scan. If the diagnosis is stomach cancer, treatment may include surgery to remove cancerous tissue, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Those Most at Risk
Stomach cancer is more frequently seen in people over the age of 50, men, individuals who smoke, people with certain ethnic backgrounds and individuals with a family history of stomach disease.
Toxic exposures are now thought to contribute to stomach cancer as well, especially among workers exposed to occupational carcinogens on a regular basis. One of these carcinogens is benzene, a chemical occurring naturally in crude oil and widely used in the production of many products around the world.
Another source of serious harm is exposure to diesel fumes. The particles emitted from gasoline and diesel engines contain substantial quantities of carcinogenic hydrocarbons, along with benzene, and daily exposure to these substantially increases the risk of stomach cancer among diesel-exposed workers, including railroaders, underground miners, construction workers, firefighters, oilfield workers, mechanics and professional drivers of trucks and buses.
At Diesel Injury Law, we’re passionately dedicated to helping the victims of diesel exposures. If you’ve suffered occupational exposure to these carcinogens, we urge you to call or email us today for your free, no-obligation consultation. Give us the opportunity to help you.