What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer, and how extreme are they?

• Is the pain/ symptoms unbearable? I've been having abdominal problems for the past couple weeks, and I want to rule out cancer (I doubt it's cancer, but you never know.) My doctor said I was showing signs of IBS, but I'm not quite sure. I'm 16 if it helps. My symptoms are mainly abdominal pain/ cramping, constipation, and bloating.

• Answer:

  Stomach cancer and colon cancer are not the same as they are on opposite ends of the digestive tract. abdominal pain/cramping, constipation and bloating are associated with the large intestine. If your doctor is a board certified gastroenterologist they she qualified to diagnose and treat you. If your doctor is a GP, find a GI doctor. Your symptoms are most likely not cancer as the problem with colon cancer is that usually symptoms don't appear until later stages. This is why early detection can be a life saver. IBS is one of those things that general practitioner likes to diagnose because it covers a broad spectrum of problems. Remember constipation is NOT a disease. It is a symptom of something else. Look at underlying causes. Poor diet, lack of fiber, lack of water intake, lack of exercise, laxative abuse (taking laxatives every time you think you are constipated leads to needing laxatives to go), narcotic pain killers, stress and occasionally other medical issues. I have a friend who was being treated for IBS and popping pills like you wouldn't believe. He started taking a pro-biotic and stopped the medications and the IBS went away.