Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
"Selected Vegetables" and "Sun's Soup " are different mixtures of vegetables and herbs that are being studied as treatments for people with cancer (see Question 1).
Dried and frozen forms of Selected Vegetables are sold in the United States as dietary supplements (see Question 1).
The vegetables and herbs in Selected Vegetables/Sun's Soup may contain substances that block the growth of cancer cells and/or help the body's immune system kill cancer cells (see Question 2).
The risks of stomach cancer screening include the following:
Finding stomach cancer may not improve health or help you live longer.
Screening may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have advanced stomach cancer.
Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life-threatening, but if found by a screening test, the cancer may be treated. It is not known if treatment of these cancers would help you live longer than if no treatment were given, and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects.
False-negative test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be normal even though stomach cancer is present. A person who receives a false-negative result (one that shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if there are symptoms.
False-positive test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests and procedures which also have risks.
Side effects may be caused by the screening test itself.
Upper endoscopy may cause the following rare, but serious, side effects:
A small hole (puncture) in the esophagus or stomach.
Lung infection from inhaling food, fluid, or stomach acid into the lung.
Severe bleeding that needs to be treated at a hospital.
Reactions to medicine used during the procedure.
In this article
This information is produced and provided by the National
Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National
Institute via the Internet web site at http://
.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.
WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
May 28, 2015
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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