Dietary irregularities may signal early cancer risks

Oncologist Pan Zhanhe warns that certain dietary irregularities can serve as early indicators of cancer. While diet can influence cancer risk through food choice and preparation, specific physical symptoms during eating may signal existing disease.

One critical sign is nausea and vomiting. If not caused by food spoilage or pregnancy, persistent nausea—especially within an hour after eating—can indicate stomach cancer, particularly in individuals over 45. Severe cases may involve intense vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms can also be linked to liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic cancers, often accompanied by weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, and anemia.

Another significant symptom is difficulty swallowing or pain in the sternum. According to the American Cancer Society, the sensation of a foreign object in the throat or difficulty swallowing is a specific symptom frequently observed in patients with esophageal cancer.