Gastric Cancer is one of the common cancers in China, and many young people are also suffering from gastric cancer. More than 70% of early-stage gastric cancer patients have no symptoms, and those who do have symptoms are generally atypical. This is also the main reason why gastric cancer is often diagnosed in the late stage once it is discovered. How can early-stage gastric cancer be detected? Traditional Chinese medicine recommends a post-gastric cancer surgery diet plan.
1. How to Detect Early-stage Gastric Cancer
1) Raise awareness and understanding of gastric cancer
Nearly half of early-stage gastric cancer patients have no clinical symptoms, and only some have mild symptoms such as mild indigestion, such as upper abdominal discomfort, slight bloating, pain, nausea, belching, etc. Most patients are already in the middle and late stages when they seek medical treatment because there is a common misconception about gastric cancer.
For example, if there are mild symptoms of food blockage, upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, etc., people often do not seek medical treatment and instead take over-the-counter gastric medicine. Faced with unexplained weight loss, fatigue, etc., people often attribute it to work fatigue or excessive mental stress. These situations prevent early diagnosis of the disease. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people must be vigilant if they experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, swallowing difficulties, etc.
2) Observe the patterns of gastric cancer
Early symptoms of gastric tumors are not typical, but there are still certain patterns. Pay attention to changes in burping, pain patterns, black stools, sudden weight loss, anemia, etc.
① Nausea and vomiting
Gastric cancer patients often experience nausea and vomiting, especially after meals, accompanied by abdominal bloating. The reason for this symptom is the long-term stimulation of the gastric mucosa by cancer cells, which leads to abnormal disorders of gastrointestinal function.
② Stomach pain
In the early stages of the disease, gastric cancer patients may feel discomfort in the upper abdomen, such as a sense of bloating, heaviness, or dull pain. This phenomenon is often confused with clinical gastritis and gastric ulcers. When the tumor occurs in the gastric antrum, it can easily lead to changes in duodenal function, resulting in rhythmic pain, which is also easily confused with gastric ulcers.
③ Decreased appetite
In clinical practice, weight loss and general fatigue are the earliest symptoms that appear in gastric cancer patients, and about 40% of patients will experience these symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Some patients may also experience abdominal bloating, belching, etc., after meals, which automatically limits food intake and gradually reduces weight.
3) Undergo gastroscopy
Once symptoms appear, a gastroscopy should be done. To prevent and treat gastric tumors, the most important thing is to develop the habit of regular health check-ups. It is best to include gastroscopy in health examinations because gastroscopy is essential for gastric tumor screening.
2. Post-Gastric Cancer Surgery Diet Plan
1) Chenpi Jujube Drink:
1 piece of tangerine peel, 3 red dates. Boil the red dates and tangerine peel together to make a drink.
Take it once a day. This dietary therapy promotes qi, strengthens the spleen, reduces rebellious qi, and is suitable for those with deficiency and cold who experience nausea and vomiting.
2) Qianshi Liuzhen Cake:
30g of qianshi, shanyao, fuling, lotus meat, coix seed, and mung bean, and 500g of rice flour. Process all the ingredients into powder and mix with rice flour.
Take it 2 or 3 times a day, 6g each time, add sugar to taste, mix with hot water and drink. It can also be made into pastries. This recipe strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea effectively.
3) Sugarcane Ginger Drink:
An appropriate amount of sugarcane and fresh ginger. Extract half a cup of sugarcane juice, mix it with 1 tablespoon of ginger juice, and simmer it. Take it twice a week, warm it before consumption.
This drink has the effects of invigorating the middle and strengthening the stomach, suitable for early-stage gastric cancer.
4) Longan Peanut Soup:
250g of red-skinned peanuts, 5 jujubes, and 12g of longan meat. Remove the jujube pits, boil them with peanuts and longan meat, and serve.
Take it once a day. It nourishes the blood and strengthens the spleen. It can be used for patients with obvious anemia.
5) Lettuce Jujube Cake:
250g of lettuce, 250g of jujubes, and 500g of flour. Chop the lettuce, cook the jujubes and remove the pits, mix them with flour, and make cakes.
Consume it as a snack. It strengthens the spleen, benefits the stomach, and helps with dampness and water retention. It can be selected for those with loose stools or diarrhea.
6) Black Plum Porridge:
20g of black plums, 100g of glutinous rice, and a moderate amount of rock sugar. First, decoct the black plums to obtain a concentrated juice and remove the residue. Cook the glutinous rice into porridge, then add a little rock sugar and simmer.
Take it once a day. This recipe has astringent and hemostatic effects.
In daily life, it is important to pay attention to the prevention of gastric cancer. Develop good eating habits, eat regular and moderate meals, eat less or avoid pickled vegetables and fried foods, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Establish good work habits, deal with stress calmly, balance work and rest, and avoid excessive fatigue. Strengthen physical exercise, improve physical fitness, and maintain a positive and happy mindset.
