“1 black, 1 fishy, ​​2 red” warning of stomach cancer

(Dan Tri) - Some symptoms that seem minor and are easily mistaken for digestive disorders are actually early signs of stomach cancer. Many patients only realize it when the disease has progressed severely.

Stomach cancer, one of the common malignancies of the digestive tract, is becoming a major concern as it often progresses silently over many years without obvious symptoms in the early stages.

When detected, most of the diseases are already at a severe level, seriously affecting the patient's ability to treat and prognosis.

According to information from Sohu , there are four signs that are easily overlooked but have a very high warning value of stomach cancer, summarized as "1 black, 1 fishy, ​​2 reduced". These are the signs that people, especially those at high risk, need to pay special attention to.

The disease often progresses silently over many years, with no obvious symptoms in the early stages (Photo: Getty).

1. Black stools

Abnormal stool color is always one of the health warning signs. In particular, when stool turns black and thick, this can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract.

In people with stomach cancer, tumors can cause ulcers, breaking blood vessels inside the mucosa. Blood flowing into the intestines is decomposed by bacteria and digestive juices, creating a characteristic black color.

Patients often feel tired, dizzy, have a rapid heartbeat, pale skin, and sometimes faint due to blood loss.

This condition is completely different from black stool caused by eating blood pudding, taking iron tablets or drugs containing bismuth. If the cause is unknown, you should see a doctor soon for an endoscopy to determine the source of the bleeding.

2. Farts have an unusual fishy smell

Farting is a normal physiological phenomenon, but if the gas has a strong, fishy smell and lasts for a long time, you should not be subjective.

The cause may be due to stomach damage, ulcers, or even internal bleeding tumors. When blood is broken down by stomach acid and intestinal bacteria, this process will produce gas with a fishy, ​​unpleasant odor.

This symptom may be accompanied by bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, or weight loss.

Many people mistake it for eating seafood or poor digestion, but an unusual fishy smell in the morning or lasting for several days should not be taken lightly.

3. Unexplained weight loss

Rapid weight loss in a short period of time without exercise or diet is a sign that should not be ignored. In stomach cancer, the tumor reduces the stomach's ability to contract and digest food.

Patients often feel full quickly, have bloating, loss of appetite and poor absorption. In addition, the growth of cancer cells consumes a lot of energy, making the body tired, weak, and causing rapid weight loss.

If your body loses 4 to 5 kg in a few months without a clear cause, you should proactively go for a check-up.

4. Reduces appetite

Even though it is a favorite dish, if it is no longer delicious, or you even feel full after eating a little, this could be an early sign of a serious stomach disease, including cancer.

The feeling of loss of appetite is often continuous, accompanied by weakness and malnutrition. This condition reduces resistance, affecting the effectiveness of treatment if the disease progresses to real cancer.

Many people easily ignore it because they think it is due to stress, change in taste or food intolerance. However, if the feeling of loss of appetite persists, you should see a doctor soon to rule out dangerous causes.

Don't be subjective to small signs

Stomach cancer is the uncontrolled growth of stomach cells, forming tumors that can spread around and metastasize. This is one of the most common cancers in the world , with the incidence rate ranking 3rd in men and 4th in women, the age-standardized incidence rate of men is 2 times that of women.

The disease is related to HP bacteria (Helicobacter pylori), diet and some environmental factors. The disease often develops silently in the early stages, so patients are often detected in the late stages.

Signs such as black stools, unusual fishy odor, weight loss and loss of appetite may be fleeting but are important indicators. Proactively performing gastric endoscopy and regular cancer screening tests will help detect cancer early and increase the chance of successful treatment.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/1-den-1-tanh-2-giam-canh-bao-ung-thu-da-day-20250923080713960.htm