Coping with Stomach Cancer

A stomach cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. It is normal to feel a range of emotions, including fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, or even relief that you finally have an answer. All of these feelings are valid. You do not have to face this alone.

Talking to your care team

Your care team, including your surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, gastroenterologist, dietitian, nurses, and other specialists, is there to support you. Do not hesitate to tell them how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally. They can connect you with additional resources, adjust your treatment to reduce side effects, and refer you to support services.

Emotional and mental health support

It is common for people with cancer to experience anxiety and depression. A stomach cancer diagnosis can also raise specific worries about eating, weight loss, and changes to the body that affect daily life in very tangible ways. These concerns are real and deserve attention alongside the medical aspects of your care.

Ask your care team about:

• Oncology social workers who can help you navigate the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer.

• Individual or group counseling and therapy with a psychologist or licensed counselor.

• Integrative medicine approaches such as mindfulness, meditation, and gentle movement that can reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

• Support groups where you can connect with others who have been through a stomach cancer diagnosis.

Eating and nutrition after stomach cancer treatment

Changes to eating and nutrition are one of the most significant challenges people face after stomach cancer treatment. Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach permanently changes how the digestive system works. Even without surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can affect appetite, taste, and the ability to eat comfortably.

Working closely with a registered dietitian who has experience in stomach cancer and post-gastrectomy nutrition is one of the most important things you can do. Key nutritional challenges after stomach surgery include:

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals. After gastrectomy, the stomach's capacity to hold food is reduced or eliminated. Most people need to eat six or more small meals per day rather than three large ones.

• Managing dumping syndrome. When food moves too quickly from the surgery site into the small intestine, it can cause sweating, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, and diarrhea shortly after eating. Avoiding sugary and high-carbohydrate foods and eating slowly can help manage this.

• Preventing and managing weight loss. Unintended weight loss is common. Your dietitian can help you find ways to maintain adequate caloric and protein intake with foods you can tolerate.

• Lifelong vitamin B12 supplementation. After the stomach is removed or significantly reduced, the body can no longer make intrinsic factor, a protein needed to absorb vitamin B12. B12 injections are typically required for life. Your care team will also monitor for iron, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrient deficiencies.

Physical activity and recovery

Staying as physically active as possible during and after cancer treatment can help reduce fatigue, maintain muscle strength, and improve mood and quality of life. After stomach surgery, physical recovery takes time. Your care team will guide you on when and how to gradually increase activity. Even gentle walking during recovery is beneficial. A physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist can help develop an activity plan that is safe and appropriate for your situation.

Body image and self-esteem

Stomach cancer and its treatments can lead to significant weight loss, changes in eating habits, and visible physical changes. These changes can affect how you feel about your body and your sense of self. These feelings are understandable and common. Talking with a counselor or social worker who works with cancer patients can help you process these experiences and find strategies to adjust to the changes in your body and your life.

Planning for the future

A stomach cancer diagnosis often prompts important conversations about the future. Your care team can help you understand your prognosis and what to expect from treatment and recovery. Advance care planning, including conversations about your wishes for medical care in the future and completing legal documents such as a health care proxy and advance directive, is something you can do at any time. Having these conversations early gives you more control and can relieve stress for both you and your loved ones.

Support for family and caregivers

Cancer affects everyone close to a patient. Family members and caregivers may have their own fears and worries and may need support too. Changes in the patient's ability to eat, cook, or participate in meals can affect family routines and relationships. Encourage family members to seek support through counseling, support groups, or resources specifically designed for caregivers.

Practical support

A cancer diagnosis can bring financial and logistical challenges. Resources that may help include:

• Patient assistance programs to help with the cost of cancer medications.

• Transportation assistance programs that help with travel to and from treatment.

• Home health care that can provide nursing and aide support at home.

• Financial counseling through your hospital's financial assistance office.

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