Stomach cancer is a disease in which the cells forming the inner lining of the stomach become abnormal and start to divide uncontrollably, forming a mass or a tumor. The stomach is a J-shaped organ that lies in the abdomen, on the left side. The esophagus (or the food pipe) carries the food from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach produces many digestive juices and acids that mix with the food and aid in the process of digestion. The stomach is divided into five sections. Cancer can develop in any of the five sections of the stomach.

While the exact cause for stomach cancer has not been identified, having poor nutritional habits, eating a lot of cured, pickled or smoked foods, eating foods high in starch and low in fiber, smoking, drinking alcohol, and vitamin A deficiency are believed to be risk factors for stomach...