Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month: Heartburn can Cause Cancer
It sounds unbelievable but heartburn and acid reflux can cause esophageal cancer, and once diagnosed there is only a 17 percent chance of survival. “It is a devastating cancer,” says Vikram Gopal, M.D. gastroenterologist at the Borland-Groover Clinic.
The rate of esophageal cancer is increasing in the United States. “There is an increase of acid reflux in this country which is a result of our culture of ‘super-sizing,’” Dr. Gopal says. “Fifty percent of the U.S. population is obese or overweight based on studies by the Centers for Disease Control. And overeating can cause a significant increase in acid reflux,” he adds.
Chronic acid reflux can then lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus known as Barrett’s Esophagus and, left untreated, can lead to esophageal cancer. Called a silent killer because if left untreated the symptoms can go away as a result of the changes in the esophageal tissue; the patient thinks the problem is solved when, in reality, cancer is silently developing.
Mindy Mintz Mordecai founded the Esophageal Cancer Action Network after her husband died from esophageal cancer. “Most people don’t know that they have esophageal cancer until the day that they can’t swallow,” she says. “Because it is a condition that starts with a precursor, the pre-cancerous Barrett’s Esophagus, it can be cured if found when still in the Barrett’s Esophagus form. That is critical for people to know because our goal is to save lives,” she says.
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:
• heartburn or burning in chest
• regurgitation
• chest pain
• nausea after eating
• sour taste in mouth
• coughing, choking or wheezing
• difficulty swallowing,
• hiccups
• belching or burping excessively,
• hoarseness or change in voice
• sore throat
• feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone.
Mordecai says that in most cases these symptoms are more likely to occur or become worse at night. Symptoms are increased by bending, stooping, lying down or eating and are temporarily relieved by antacids.
While esophageal cancer can occur at any age, screening should be targeted for Caucasian and Hispanic males who are 50 years or older, and who have an elevated body mass index.
“Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated with thermal ablation, photodynamic therapy, cryoablation and endoscopic mucosal resection,” says Dr. Gopal. And according to Lisa R. Bichsel, Director of Marketing – GI Solutions, Covidien, if Barrett’s Esophagus is diagnosed early it can be treated successfully and esophageal cancer can be avoided. “We have treated with more than 100,000 procedures and our ablation technology is safe and effective. It is a treatment that lasts,” says Bichsel. “But it is important to get screened,” she says. Screening methods for esophageal cancer include imaging, barium swallow test, upper endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound or bronchoscopy.
“We want to prevent esophageal cancer and that is why it is so important to discuss your acid reflux issues with your doctor,” says Dr. Gopal.
The Third Annual Race to the Taste 5K will be held on Saturday, April 28, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheater. The course is through Anastasia State Park and nearby neighborhoods and finishes at the 15th annual “A Taste of St. Augustine.” Registered runners will receive free admission for two to this event.
