Conversation April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month

DCiAdmin · Feb 9, 2012

Arctos said:

I had pains in the chest the other day, turned out to be reflux (heartburn) though. Eating some crystallised ginger fixed that problem up thankfully.

Just my version of a PSA - everyone should realize that frequent heartburn can cause Esophageal Cancer (adenocarcinoma). If you take antacids often, request an endoscope to ensure it's not a larger issue.....

Have a read of this page from ECAN.com describing the link between common heartburn and Esophageal Cancer.

And this

Chronic GERD that is untreated can cause serious complications. Inflammation of the esophagus from refluxed stomach acid can damage the lining and cause bleeding or ulcers—also called esophagitis. Scars from tissue damage can lead to strictures—narrowing of the esophagus—that make swallowing difficult.
Some people develop Barrett’s esophagus, in which cells in the esophageal lining take on an abnormal shape and color.
Over time, the cells can lead to esophageal cancer, which is often fatal. Persons with GERD and its complications should be monitored closely by a physician.

EC no longer discriminates based on age or gender. My husband was diagnosed as a Stage 3 EC (adenocarcinoma) survivor at age 48. I have several friends on the EC boards that have lost spouses as young as 38.

nameisuser · Feb 9, 2012

Re: Heart Attack Action Plan

Do not confuse cause with effect.

From Esophageal cancer: Causes - MayoClinic.com

It's not clear what causes esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in your esophagus develop errors (mutations) in their DNA. The errors make cells grow and divide out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus that can grow to invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.

DCiAdmin · Feb 9, 2012

Re: Heart Attack Action Plan

nameisuser said: ↑

Do not confuse cause with effect.

From Esophageal cancer: Causes - MayoClinic.com

It's not clear what causes esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in your esophagus develop errors (mutations) in their DNA. The errors make cells grow and divide out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus that can grow to invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.

I speak from personal experience, NIU. There is relation. Perhaps not for everyone with EC, but certainly enough relation to make an endoscope a worthwhile investment.

nameisuser · Feb 9, 2012

Re: Heart Attack Action Plan

Ulcers yes, cancer no.

The endoscopic exam is one of the diagnostic methods applicable in both cases.

The Mayo Clinic is an extremely reliable source.

nameisuser · Feb 9, 2012

Re: Heart Attack Action Plan

from: What causes cancer of the esophagus?

We don't know the exact cause of esophageal cancer, but we do know some of the risk factors that make this cancer more likely. A risk factor is anything that affects a person's chance of getting cancer. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or race, can't be changed.

DCiAdmin · Feb 9, 2012

NIU's information above is more directly related to Squamous Cell EC. My focus is Adenocarcinoma EC.

Common causes of Esophageal Cancer (adenocarcinoma) according to www.cancer.org

Risk factors for cancer of the esophagus

Age: The risk of this cancer goes up with age. Most cases occur in those age 65 and older.
Sex: Compared with women, men are 3 times more likely to get this cancer.
Heartburn: Long-standing heartburn, also called reflux (or GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease), increases the risk of this cancer even if it hasn't progressed to Barrett's esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus: This is caused by long-term reflux of acid from the stomach into the lower esophagus. Some people feel heartburn from reflux and others do not. Over time, reflux can change the cells in the esophagus. This raises the risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. But not everyone with Barrett's esophagus will get cancer of the esophagus.
Tobacco and alcohol: Using any form of tobacco raises the risk of this cancer. The longer a person uses tobacco, the greater the risk. More than half of all squamous cell esophageal cancers are linked to smoking.
Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of esophageal cancer. The chance of getting esophageal cancer goes up the more a person drinks. Combining smoking and drinking alcohol raises the risk of esophageal cancer much more than using either alone.
Overweight: The risk of this cancer is higher for people who are overweight or obese.
Diet: A diet high in fruits and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of esophageal cancer. Fruits and vegetables provide a number of vitamins and minerals that may help prevent cancer. Overeating, which leads to being overweight, also raises the risk. It is also possible, although it has not yet been proven, that a diet high in processed meat may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. (Processed meats are things like deli meats, hot dogs, and bacon.)
Drinking a lot of very hot liquids might increase the risk of this cancer, too.
Workplace exposure: Dry cleaning workers have a higher rate of cancer of the esophagus. Some of the chemicals used in dry cleaning may lead to a greater risk of this cancer. Breathing in many certain other chemical fumes may also increase the risk.

DCiAdmin · Apr 3, 2012

Bringing to your attention for April

Arctos · Apr 5, 2012

DCiAdmin said: ↑

Bringing to your attention for April

Interesting read that cancer.org link...

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