Esophageal cancer was expected to strike more than 22,000 people last year in the United States, with more than 16,000 dying of the disease. April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to get educated about the possibilities of developing this disease. Smoking, heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus can increase the risk of developing this form of cancer.
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the flat pink lining of the swallowing tube becomes damaged by acid reflux, causing the lining to thicken and become red. Other risk factors include older age, male, and African American lineage.
Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the esophagus and can occur anywhere in this tube. It occurs when cells lining the esophagus develop changes in their DNA. In healthy cells, DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a certain rate. But in cancer cells, the DNA changes tell the cancer cells to grow too quickly. The cancer cells might form a mass called a tumor, which can invade and destroy healthy tissue.
Surgery Often Needed
Treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer, although other treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the two. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may also be used.
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer may include difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, pain behind the breastbone, hoarseness and cough, and worsening indigestion or heartburn. This kind of cancer may not cause symptoms early on; symptoms usually occur in its advanced stages.
Talk with Your Doctor
Go get checked. Talk with your primary care provider about cancer screenings. Also, if you have a loved one or friend who is suffering from cancer of the esophagus, consider organizing an event or fundraiser to help attack this dreaded disease.
You may also want to consider donating to our Good Samaritan Cancer Fund, which helps patients who are struggling to pay for their medication, transportation to appointments, hotel stays for long visits, and other costs.
