July 13th is the day set aside to help draw awareness to a type of cancer that affect the GI or digestive tract. Gastrointestinal Stronal Tumor is the complete name of the cancer and it affects the organs of the gastrointestinal tract including:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Gallbladder and bile ducts
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Small intestine
- Colon
- Rectum
- Anus
- Lining of the gut
The GI tract plays a central role in digesting food and liquid as well as processing waste. The system begins when food is swallowed and is pushed down a muscular like tube known as the esophagus before it enters the stomach. The stomach muscles mix with the food and release gastric juices that help to break down and digest food.
The digested food then heads to the small intestine aka the small bowel. It is digested further before it is sent to the large intestine where waste is removed from the body. The first 5 or 6 feet of the large intestine makes up the colon, the rectum is the last 6 inches of the large intestine and finally it all ends at the anus.
Gastrointestinal Stronal Tumor (GIST) begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control. The growing cells accumulate and form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be cancerous or benign.GIST tumors are known as soft tissue sarcomas as they develop in tissues that
support and connect the body. There was a time when GISTs were thought to be muscle or nerve tumors. Research has helped improve knowledge
Symptoms of GIST include:
- tummy (abdominal) discomfort or pain.
- blood in the stools (bowel motions) or vomit.
- anaemia (low level of red blood cells)
- painless lump in the abdomen.
- being sick (vomiting)
- fatigue (tiredness and a feeling of weakness)
- a high temperature (fever) and sweating at night.
- weight loss.
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blog support --- comment 8/25
Thanks for sharing this. It's so important to raise as much awareness as possible
ReplyDeletetotally agree
DeleteI had no idea about GIST, thank you so much for bringing this up, I have learned a lot from your post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis information was must required. And awareness about it is very true. I studied about gist in med school and your post reminded me of it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBoth my mother and grandmother had stomach cancer so it is a huge concern of mine as well. Thanks for helping to raise awareness of this!
ReplyDeleteVery informative...unfortunately in most cases it is diagnosed so late...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this important information. I'm sure so many go undiagnosed until it is too late. It is good to be educated on the warning signs.
ReplyDeleteThis was very informational. Will advice to people, if somebody faces same issues.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this important info!
ReplyDeleteI never knew about GIST, but thanks for sharing this information. It's definitely an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteGood to raise awareness and thanks for adding where you got your info from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the word! It's important for people to know that thy are not alone!
ReplyDeletethese are very informative. THank you!
ReplyDelete