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Institut National du Cancer
These symptoms are easy to dismiss.
Someone might think they ate too much.
Another person might blame spicy food.
Someone else might assume their heartburn is simply getting worse with age.
Sometimes that explanation is correct.
But persistent or changing symptoms shouldn’t automatically be dismissed, particularly when several symptoms occur together.
- Persistent indigestion or heartburn
Indigestion is one of the symptoms that can occur with stomach cancer.
You may notice discomfort after eating, frequent burping, heartburn or an unusual feeling of fullness.
The problem is that indigestion is extremely common.
Acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, certain medications and dietary habits can all produce similar symptoms.
The key issue is change.
If you normally have occasional heartburn but suddenly develop persistent or significantly different symptoms, it is worth discussing them with a healthcare professional.
The NHS recommends medical assessment when digestive symptoms don’t improve or become worse, particularly when they are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
