by Dr. Sandeep Nayak
In many families, the parent who rarely complains is often the one most overlooked. That’s exactly what happened in a Bengaluru household, where a father quietly endured discomfort for weeks, brushing off symptoms as “just acidity” or “work stress.” What began as a few skipped meals almost turned into a serious diagnosis that no one anticipated.
It started gradually. He would push his plate away early, blaming it on heavy food. He popped antacids almost daily and preferred going to bed right after dinner. When his wife asked if he was okay, he dismissed her gently. “I’m just tired,” he said. Life was busy, and everyone believed him.
But the signs added up, he no longer asked for his favorite dishes, began losing weight, and his energy visibly dipped. His daughter was the first to say it aloud: “You look thinner, Papa.” That passing comment sparked concern in the family. The next day, his wife booked a consultation.
Initial blood tests showed mild anemia. That led to a scan, followed by an endoscopy. A small lesion was found in the upper part of the stomach. A biopsy confirmed what they least expected: early-stage stomach cancer.
There had been no major pain, no red-flag symptoms, just subtle changes that had gone unnoticed for too long.
In many such cases, especially involving stomach cancer, the symptoms can feel ordinary: bloating, fatigue, reduced appetite. That’s what makes early detection so challenging. A study published highlighted that a significant portion of gastrointestinal cancers in India are diagnosed at advanced stages, largely because the early signs are easy to miss or ignore.
Fortunately, this case was caught just in time.
He underwent laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery, a minimally invasive approach that allows quicker recovery, less pain, and smaller incisions compared to traditional surgery. Within a few days, he was back home. Within weeks, he was walking, eating well, and even returning to work gradually.
But what changed most was the emotional tone at home.
This quiet man, who once saw silence as strength, opened up to his family. He admitted how long he had been feeling “off,” how he didn’t want to alarm them, and how relieved he was when someone finally noticed. His wife, once hesitant about checkups, booked hers immediately. His children, now more observant than ever, started asking different kinds of questions: “Why did you wait so long?” “What should we watch out for?”
The family, without planning to, reshaped how they dealt with health. Meals became phone-free. Weekend walks were added to their schedule. Check-ins physical and emotional became part of their rhythm.
One moment of paying attention changed everything.
It’s easy to miss the signs. Fatigue can look like overwork. Skipped meals can seem like stress. But small symptoms matter in adults over 45. Sometimes, noticing them isn’t about being a doctor. It’s about being present.
About Author
Dr. Sandeep Nayak is a surgical oncologist in India, specializing in laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgeries. With over 20 years of experience, he focuses on early detection, minimally invasive treatments, and guiding families toward informed, compassionate care.