Mr. Tran Was Shocked to Learn His Stomach Pain Was a Sign of Terminal Stomach Cancer

Mr. Tran, 63, lives in Taichung, Taiwan, China. A retired teacher, he always believed that the discomfort in his throat was due to his profession, which involved a lot of speaking. About a month ago, the pain in his throat worsened, but he still thought it was simply because of the weather changing. It wasn't until he had difficulty drinking water and lost a lot of weight due to trouble eating that he decided to see a doctor.

Dr. Yu Zhenzhan, Deputy Director of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital in Taiwan and a surgeon, recounted that Mr. Tran initially visited the ENT department. However, the doctor found unusual symptoms and referred him to the gastroenterology department. There, it was revealed that his difficulty swallowing, which he had assumed was related to his profession and the weather, was actually a symptom of late-stage stomach cancer. This was the final stage, where the tumor had spread to many areas and his condition was very poor.

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Upon hearing the news, Mr. Tran was in shock. At first, he refused to believe it, insisting that the doctors had made a mistake. After Dr. Yu Zhenzhan personally explained the situation, Mr. Tran burst into tears, accepted the diagnosis, and immediately went home to do something no one expected. He threw away all the salt jars and pickled vegetable jars in his kitchen. It turned out that these were the two culprits that contributed to his serious illness.

Why Does Eating Too Much Salt and Pickled Vegetables Cause Stomach Cancer?

According to Dr. Yu Zhenzhan, a diet high in salt is the primary cause of stomach cancer. Mr. Tran's family knew that he had a strong liking for salty food and often added extra salt to his meals.

"The recommended daily salt intake for adults by the WHO is under 5g. Excessive salt consumption damages the stomach lining, causing chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of cancer. Salt stimulates the production of free radicals, which accelerates the process of cellular mutation. Additionally, a salty environment promotes the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, further increasing the cancer risk. Furthermore, salty food can also create nitrosamine compounds—strong carcinogens."

Mr. Tran’s family also loved eating pickled vegetables, especially quick pickles. Eating too many pickled vegetables—particularly quick pickles—raises the risk of stomach cancer because they contain nitrosamine. During the pickling process, vegetables accumulate nitrites, which, when combined with amines in the stomach, form nitrosamines. The acidic environment of pickled vegetables irritates the stomach lining, causing inflammation and cellular damage. Additionally, quick pickles may contain harmful bacteria and molds, further increasing the risk of cancer. Regular consumption of such food also disrupts the balance of the gut microbiome.

Warning Signs of Stomach Cancer

Regarding Mr. Tran’s difficulty swallowing, Dr. Yu explained, “In the late stages of stomach cancer, difficulty swallowing occurs because the tumor grows large, pressing against or narrowing the esophagus and stomach entrance. This blockage makes it hard for food to pass into the stomach, causing pain and difficulty swallowing. Furthermore, inflammation caused by the cancer increases the sensation of burning pain when eating. Deteriorating gastric function also contributes to these symptoms.”

In addition to difficulty swallowing, stomach cancer can present several other symptoms that Dr. Yu emphasized:

• Dull stomach pain: A constant, burning, or bloated feeling in the stomach.

• Nausea and vomiting: Especially after eating, which may include blood if the disease progresses.

• Unexplained weight loss: The body becomes weaker due to poor appetite and nutrient absorption.

• Bloating and indigestion: A feeling of discomfort even after eating very little.

• Bloody stools or vomiting blood: A sign of gastrointestinal bleeding due to stomach lining damage.

• Anemia and prolonged fatigue: Due to persistent bleeding or poor nutrient absorption.

• Bad breath and prolonged acid reflux: Resulting from stomach contents and food backing up into the esophagus.

Early detection is key to improving treatment effectiveness. Therefore, if you experience any of the above symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately!