Stomach cancer diagnoses are increasingly being reported in women under 55, a trend that has left medical researchers puzzled as they seek to understand the underlying cause. The disease often progresses rapidly when first identified, highlighting the vital importance of early detection for improved outcomes.
Alex Jade, age 31, received a stage 4 gastric cancer diagnosis after noticing initial symptoms around April 2022. Reflecting on the experience three years later, she documented her journey in a TikTok video.
Her ordeal began with severe heartburn, exacerbated by consuming foods like chicken wings. Alex recalls feeling unwell during that first episode. “That whole month of April, I continued to have stomach pain and persistent heartburn,” she shared.
She further described the sensation as intense: “It felt like there was a fire going down my esophagus, triggered after eating certain things. Sometimes it occurred in the morning.” Alex also experienced a gnawing type of discomfort, comparable to extreme hunger, often first thing in the morning. She initially attributed this to needing to eat, but the feeling persisted throughout the day.
Simultaneously, she noticed neck and back pain that felt like a constant need for stretching.
Initially, doctors suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and prescribed medication to alleviate her symptoms. However, in September of that year, Alex described experiencing “the worst two weeks” of her life.
“I had this terrible heartburn – it genuinely felt like my throat was on fire,” she recounted. “It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.”
She continued, describing a feeling of intense heaviness in her esophagus, accompanied by severe stomach pain and bloating. “I would wake up in the morning looking six months pregnant,” Alex said. “I was so exhausted I’d go to my apartment during lunch breaks just to nap.”
The stage 4 gastric cancer diagnosis was confirmed following an endoscopy.
While Alex’s experience involved acid reflux, it is important to remember that a burning sensation in the chest can indicate various conditions, many of which are far less serious.
As noted on the NHS website, “Lots of people get heartburn from time to time.” The cause isn’t always clear. Certain dietary choices—coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods—are often implicated.
The site advises: “Speak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn. They may recommend medicines called antacids or alginates that can help ease your symptoms.”
