Stomach cancer is a disease strongly related with diet. One problem can be eating foods with nitrites like those found in processed / cured meats or fish which can contribute to the development of stomach cancer. Nitrates are converted to cancer causing nitrites by bacteria found in the stomach, like helicobacter pylon which is a bacterium closely linked to this problem. Stomach cancer is most common among people age 55 years or older, and is more common among African-Americans than other ethnic groups. The early symptoms of stomach cancer include: full feeling or discomfort after eating. Weakness, weight loss, indigestion, and vomiting after eating also may happen. Low level bleeding may cause anemia.

In less often cases, the person may vomit blood or pass black stools. As the cancer spreads it can affect the liver, causing jaundice and abdominal fluid accumulation problems. Because the early symptoms of stomach cancer are so difficult to determine and often mistaken for other digestive problems, this cancer often is not detected until it is has spread past the stomach into other body areas. Surgery will work better if the cancer is still contained within the stomach. If the cancer has spread, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used. Herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation should always be used as part of a medically directed overall treatment plan for stomach cancer.