Posted 6 months ago
November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and we want to take the opportunity to recognize and support all of our patients who are on their journey with stomach cancer or surviving from the disease. This is a particularly challenging cancer. It is important to raise awareness about all cancers but this month was chosen to focus on Stomach.
The American Cancer Society released the following statistics that are projected for 2023:
-About 26,500 new cases of stomach cancer (15,930 in men and 10,570 in women)
-About 11,130 deaths from this type of cancer (6,690 men and 4,440 women)
-Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the US each year.
-In the US, the number of new cases of stomach cancer has been dropping by about 1.5% each year over the last 10 years
-Nearly all stomach cancers start in the inner lining of the stomach. Other forms of stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, include lymphomas, which affect the body’s immune system, and sarcomas, which involve the connective tissue, such as muscle, fat or blood vessels.
We hope to educate people about stomach cancer risk factors to improve prevention and early detection. Some of these risk factors include:
-Challenges with swallowing
-Unexplained weight loss
-Vomiting blood or observing blood in your stool
-Nausea, vomiting or bloating after meals
-Above the navel abdominal pain
-Ulcers, indigestion or heartburn
-Diarrhea or constipation
Just because you are experiencing any of these symptoms, does not mean you have stomach cancer. It is important to discuss with your doctor if you are having any of these symptoms or other health concerns that may be interfering or negatively impacting your daily lives.
Stomach Cancer Resources
-Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer. 855‑475‑1200, www.debbiesdream.org
-Gastric Cancer Foundation, www.gastriccancer.org
-GI Cancers Alliance, www.gicancersalliance.org
-Hope for Stomach Cancer, www.stocan.org
If you are interested in learning more about support resources for yourself as a patient or if you are a caregiver, our Social Work team is happy to assist you. You can reach through email at socialwork@ironwoodcrc.com
Nicole McCallister, LMSW
Nicole McCallister is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Nicole received her Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University in August 2017. She received her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Studies in April 2003 from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI.
Nicole has spent the last 15 years working with children and families in the child welfare system of Arizona. She completed a social work internship with Ironwood under the supervision of Kelly Huey from August 2016 through May 2017.
Nicole has volunteered with Ironwood’s breast cancer support group in Scottsdale after her internship was complete. Nicole is looking forward to working with cancer patients and their families in hopes of supporting the positive change to those in need.