Core Tip: Many people think that stomach cancer, the "king of cancers," is a disease for middle-aged and elderly people, but the reality is not so. According to relevant research reports, stomach cancer in young people under 35 accounts for 6% to 11% of the total number of stomach cancer cases. Based on a rough calculation of China's stomach cancer mortality rate, more than 9,000 young people are killed by the "king of cancers" every year.
Gastric cancer is the most common malignant tumor in clinical practice. Its incidence ranks first among all types of tumors. China has a high incidence of gastric cancer, with approximately 170,000 people dying from it each year, which is nearly a quarter of all deaths from malignant tumors. Additionally, more than 20,000 new cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed annually. Gastric cancer is a serious disease that poses a significant threat to people's health. It can occur at any age. In the past, it was more commonly found in middle-aged and elderly people, with more cases in men than in women. However, in recent years, it has been found that the incidence of gastric cancer is showing a trend towards affecting more women and younger people. The cause of its onset is unknown, but it may be related to multiple factors such as lifestyle, diet types, environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and psychological factors. It is also associated with chronic gastritis, gastric polyps, atypical hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa, postoperative residual stomach, and long-term Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection.
Many people think that stomach cancer, the "king of cancers," is a disease for middle-aged and elderly people, but the reality is not so. According to relevant research reports, stomach cancer in young people under 35 accounts for 6% to 11% of the total number of stomach cancer cases. Based on a rough calculation of China's stomach cancer mortality rate, approximately 9,000 to 10,000 young people are killed by the "king of cancers" every year!
So, what are the clinical characteristics of gastric cancer in young people?
1. More common in women
The gender ratio for gastric cancer in middle-aged and elderly people is 3:2 (male to female), whereas for young people, it is 1:1, or even more women than men. Some female patients are found to have gastric cancer only after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, following a "clue." This phenomenon may be related to the endocrine activity of women in this age group.
2. More atypical symptoms
If the symptoms of gastric cancer in middle-aged and elderly people are atypical—such as upper abdominal bloating and pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss, which can be seen in various gastrointestinal and systemic diseases—then the symptoms in young people are even more atypical. This phenomenon may be related to the strong physique and tolerance of young people.
3. High rate of missed and misdiagnosis
The rate of missed and misdiagnosis is as high as 27%, meaning one in four people is misdiagnosed. Gastric cancer in young people is often misdiagnosed as gastritis, peptic ulcer, or indigestion, and this misdiagnosis is repeated. The main reason is that young people often think they are healthy. When they occasionally feel unwell, they tend to self-medicate or not seek medical attention, refusing endoscopy, which makes it difficult to detect the subtle signs of gastric cancer, thus delaying the diagnosis of the disease.
4. Higher degree of malignancy
This refers to the pathological characteristics of the tumor. In young people, the proportion of highly malignant types such as mucinous adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is higher than in middle-aged and elderly people. These types of tumors grow fast and metastasize early.
Overconfidence in youth, negligence, avoidance of medical consultation, and fear of examinations are reasons on the patient's side; preconceived notions and lack of thoroughness are reasons for missed and misdiagnosis on the part of medical staff. Mutual understanding between doctors and patients is key to preventing and treating gastric cancer and detecting it early.
Young people, perhaps to guard against the invasion of gastric cancer, if you have discomfort in the upper abdomen, burping, belching, or dull pain, be sure to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying the condition. Additionally, in daily life, do not neglect your health just because you are young. A regular lifestyle, a healthy diet, and a positive mindset play a crucial role in preventing diseases.