She Was Afraid of Endoscopy; She Found Out She Had Stomach Cancer 2 Years Later

Fatime Sağlam, 60, a mother of 2 children living in Istanbul, went to the hospital due to her stomach problem 2 years ago. Doctors recommended drug therapy and endoscopy. Sağlam, who used the drugs but did not have an endoscopy due to her fears, took a breath at Yeditepe University Hospital when her complaints increased after 2 years. Endoscopy revealed a tumor in the intact stomach. The General Surgery Specialist who performed the surgery said, "If you are over 50 years old, I recommend that you have an endoscopy for control, even if you have no complaints."

Fatime Sağlam (60) started to experience stomach pain after a drug she took exactly 2 years ago. Sağlam, whose complaints were getting more and more severe, took a breath in the hospital. After the examinations, Sağlam was first treated with medication and then endoscopy was recommended. However, Sağlam did not do it because she was afraid of this procedure. Sağlam, who used her medications for 2 years, experienced stomach pains and burns again at the end of this period. Sağlam, who applied to Yeditepe University Hospital, decided to have an endoscopy this time. After the examinations, a tumor was found in Fatime Sağlam's stomach. Gastric cancer surgery was performed with a closed method and the tumor was removed.

"Discomfort Revealed After Endoscopy"

Fatime Sağlam, who stated that stomach complaints emerged as a result of using a painkiller 2 years ago, said, "The doctor I saw, gave me medicine in the form of syrup and a gastroprotective. They told me to have an endoscopy, but I was afraid of this procedure. I gave up the procedure because I was afraid. When I saw the benefits of the drugs, I forgot about the disease after not having any complaints for 2 years. My complaints were bloating, nausea, indigestion, and a feeling as if something were sticking in my throat in the first place. We went to the doctor after that. The physician first examined her by ultrasound, then decided to undergo an endoscopy. The discomfort was revealed after the endoscopy. I suggest that people who experience such problems should not be afraid of endoscopy. After this discomfort, I underwent endoscopy twice, I did not have any problems. I recommend that everyone undergo regular endoscopy."

Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital General Surgery Specialist, who performed Fatime Sağlam's surgery, said, "When Mrs. Fatime came to us, there were stomach complaints. Such patients may have very general complaints such as stomach complaints, gas, nausea, indigestion, and burping. Stomach tumors have no clear complaints. There may be a pain, bloating, gas, and sometimes bleeding related to your stomach. These are all signs of tumors or ulcers in the stomach. It can be confused with gastritis, reflux, or gallbladder diseases. Endoscopy is the most effective diagnostic method we have to distinguish them from each other. Endoscopy is a method of examining the inside of the stomach walls by entering the stomach with a lighted instrument."

Beware After Turning 50 Years Old

Stating that everyone over the age of 50 should have endoscopy regularly, our specialist said, "Because there is a risk of stomach tumors after the age of 50. People under the age of 50 should also have an endoscopy. If you do not have any complaints, we do not recommend that you have an endoscopy immediately if you are under 50 years of age. However, if you have a stomach problem, you will need an endoscopy. If you are over the age of 50, I recommend that you have an endoscopy, even if you do not have any complaints. Especially if you have this type of stomach tumor in your family, then you should definitely have it done. Most of the stomach is removed with the closed surgery we perform in the treatment of gastric tumors. After most of the stomach is removed, we make a new stomach from the intestines instead of the stomach so that our patient can eat again. This allows the patient to eat comfortably."

Underlining that the lymph nodes between the branches of the jugular vein should be removed in closed surgeries of gastric cancer, our specialist said, "These lymph nodes can be successfully removed in experienced hands with laparoscopy".

"Do Not Ignore Your Examinations for Fear of Coronavirus"

Stating that they have encountered stomach cancer cases in men in their regions, especially in Eastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia in Turkey, our specialist said, "We recommend endoscopy after this age because it is common over 50 years of age. If we do intermittent endoscopies on people under 50, we do not have to worry too much about stomach tumors. We have a chance to diagnose the disease at an early stage and bring the patients back to their old lives. However, there is a delay in the diagnosis of tumors due to the coronavirus during this period. This will cause you to encounter a tumor in the advanced stages. However, colonoscopy and endoscopy should be done on time".