Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer

Recognising the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer can be difficult. In many cases, there are no symptoms in the early stages, which means the disease can go unnoticed for some time. When symptoms do occur, they can be similar to those caused by many other, less serious conditions.

If you have symptoms that worry you, it's important to see your GP. This section explains what symptoms to look for, what happens when you see your doctor, and what to expect if you need to see a specialist.

Signs and symptoms

Stomach cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, which makes it difficult to detect. This means a person can be living with the disease for some time before a diagnosis is made.

As stomach cancer progresses, some common symptoms may include:

• difficulty swallowing
• feeling full quickly, even after eating small amounts
• heartburn or indigestion that doesn’t go away or is getting worse
• discomfort, pain or bloating in the abdomen (tummy)
• losing weight without trying
• unexplained tiredness or weakness (fatigue)
• loss of appetite
• feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
• blood in poo (which may look black or tarry)
• blood in vomit (which may look like coffee grounds).

Important to know: These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions, not just stomach cancer. However, if you have any symptoms that persist, worsen, or cause concern, it’s important to see your GP for assessment. They can arrange tests to help find the cause and, if needed, refer you to a specialist.

Seeing your GP

If you've been experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, your first step should be to visit your general practitioner (GP).

What to expect

Your GP will conduct a check-up to find out what's causing your symptoms. They will:

• ask you about your symptoms and how long you've had them
• ask about your medical history
• perform a physical examination
• arrange any tests they feel are necessary, such as blood tests or an ultrasound

Be prepared

It can be helpful to write down your symptoms before your appointment, including when they started and whether they've changed over time.

If your GP has concerns based on your symptoms and initial tests, they will refer you to a specialist for further investigation. In some cases, if symptoms are severe (such as vomiting blood), you may need emergency hospital care.

Being referred to a specialist

If your GP has concerns about your symptoms, you will be referred to a stomach cancer specialist for further investigation.

You might see a stomach cancer specialist at a public hospital or in private practice.

Who are stomach cancer specialists?

Stomach cancer specialists are doctors who are highly trained in diagnosing and treating stomach cancer. They may include:

• gastroenterologists (specialists in digestive system diseases)
• upper gastrointestinal surgeons (specialists in stomach, oesophagus and upper digestive tract surgery)
• medical oncologists (specialists in cancer treatment with medication).

How soon should I see a stomach cancer specialist?

Your specialist appointment should happen as soon as possible after referral, ideally within a few weeks depending on the urgency of your symptoms. If you can't get an appointment within a reasonable time, follow up with your GP.

If symptoms worsen while you're waiting for appointments or test results, contact your GP or go to an emergency department if needed.

What should I bring to my specialist appointment?

It can be helpful to bring a family member or friend with you for support and to help you remember what's discussed.

You should bring along any previous test results or medical records that might be relevant.

You may also want to bring a list of questions you'd like to ask, such as:

• What tests will I need, and what does each one look for?
• Why are these tests being done?
• How long will it take to get my results?
• What might the results show?
• If something abnormal is found, what will happen next?
• Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns between appointments?
• Will you provide written information or resources I can read later?