Symptoms of stomach cancer

The most common symptoms of stomach cancer include:

difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
weight loss
indigestion (dyspepsia) that doesn't go away
feeling full after eating small amounts
feeling or being sick
tiredness due to low red blood cells (anaemia)

Symptoms of early stomach cancer can be similar to the symptoms of other conditions, such as stomach ulcers.

You should see your doctor if you have unexplained weight loss or you have symptoms that are unusual for you or that won't go away. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

You might feel pain or a burning sensation when you swallow, or your food may stick in your throat or chest.

This can be caused by other conditions but it is important to get this symptom checked by your doctor.

Weight loss

This is weight loss when you are not trying to lose weight. Rarely, extreme weight loss can be a sign of an advanced cancer.

Pain

You may have pain in your tummy (upper abdomen) or behind your breastbone (sternum).

Indigestion (dyspepsia) that doesn't go away and burping

You can get indigestion when acid from the stomach goes back up (refluxes) into the food pipe (oesophagus). Or you can get it if you have any irritation in your stomach. This often happens after eating (heartburn).

Remember, indigestion is common and it's not usually caused by cancer. Indigestion and heartburn can be very painful, even if nothing’s seriously wrong. See your doctor if you’ve had heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more.

Feeling full after eating small amounts

This is often an early symptom and can cause weight loss.

Feeling and being sick

Stomach cancer can cause a blockage in the stomach. This stops food from passing through your digestive symptom which can make you feel or be sick.

Rarely, there is blood in the vomit. You may not be able to see any blood if it is small amounts. The blood might be bright red, which means it is fresh bleeding. Or it may look dark brown, like used coffee grounds, if the blood has been in the stomach for a while.

Bleeding

Early and advanced stomach cancer can bleed into the stomach. Over time this reduces the number of red blood cells in your blood (anaemia).

Feeling tired and breathless

This can be because you have a reduced number of red blood cells (anaemia).

Dark poo (blood in your stool)

Your poo may be darker – almost black – if your stomach is bleeding. Your poo can also be darker if you're taking iron tablets.