Ans. : There are two main types of stomach cancer called the intestinal and diffuse types. Intestinal stomach cancer is more common amongst older patients and patients from high-risk groups (eg the Japanese and Koreans). Diffuse stomach cancer is found more frequently in women and people with blood group A. This variety of stomach cancer is more difficult to treat.

Ans. : Stomach cancer is more common than most people realise. Each year there are many cases where the diet or the H. pylori leads to the stomach cancers worldwide.

Ans. : No one knows the exact causes of stomach cancer. Doctors often cannot explain why one person develops this disease and another does not.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for stomach cancer:

* Age: Most people with this disease are 72 or older.

* Sex: Men are more likely than women to develop stomach cancer.

* Race: Stomach cancer is more common in Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.

* Diet: Studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled may be at increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may protect against this disease.

* Helicobacter pylori infection: H. pylori is a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the stomach. H. pylori infection increases the risk of stomach inflammation and stomach ulcers. It also increases the risk of stomach cancer, but only a small number of infected people develop stomach cancer. Although infection increases the risk, cancer is not contagious. You cannot catch stomach cancer from another person who has it.

*Smoking: People who smoke are more likely to develop stomach cancer than people who do not smoke.

* Certain health problems: Conditions that cause inflammation or other problems in the stomach may increase the risk of stomach cancer:

o Stomach surgery

o Chronic gastritis (long-term inflammation of the stomach lining)

o Pernicious anemia (a blood disease that affects the stomach)

* Family history: A rare type of stomach cancer runs in some families.

Ans. : A few cases of stomach cancer (about one in ten) appear to run in the family. We do not yet understand which genes are involved, so genetic testing is not yet possible.

Ans. : Early stomach cancer often does not cause clear symptoms. As the cancer grows, the most common symptoms are:

* Discomfort in the stomach area

* Feeling full or bloated after a small meal

* Nausea and vomiting

* Weight loss

Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems, such as an ulcer or infection, can cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so that problems can be found and treated as early as possible.