IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING-
run, don’t walk to see your doctor. It could save your life.
Since 2000 treatment and longer survival from esophageal cancer have improved significantly. Squamous cell and adenocarcinoma are the two groups of esophageal cancer.
In 2000, when my husband received his diagnosis (from acid reflux disease) of Stage III adenocarcinoma at stomach junction (GE Junction), which included cancer visible inches into his stomach (called cardia), also known as a distal junction, information about this cancer was minimal and optimistic survival time was not very optimistic.
By 2004, studies showed some advancement in epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, staging, prevention and treatment, and possibilities for surgery. A stage IV in 2000 pretty much-meant surgery is not an option. Still, in 2004 long-term prognosis remained somewhat poor.
In 2013, in an article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, esophageal cancer was one of the least studied and deadliest cancers around the world.
Adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer sadly has earned a ranking of six in mortality among all cancers. and its incidences have risen sharply. However, the good news is that research into the causes and risks of this cancer has improved.
In 2015, The American Cancer Society estimates about 16,980 new esophageal cancer cases would be diagnosed. ( Men, 13,570 – Women, 3,410)
Now the survival is 20% of patients at diagnosis survive five years and beyond. While in 2000, 5% of patients survived at least 5 years after diagnosis.
Of course, catch it early, and the survival rate and perhaps even remission rise sharply.
Risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma: Acid Reflux (GERD), Barrett’s Esophagus, smoking, and obesity.
Although in an article, The Epidemiology of Esophageal Cancer, written in The World Journal of Gastroenterology, said, “no particular risk factor is responsible for the rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
In our family, my husband’s uncle died from esophageal cancer. Our youngest son, born with an acid reflux issue, is now in his thirties; he schedules medical monitoring and watches his diet.
What preventive daily home measures can you take?
- Quit Smoking
- Eat Vegetables. Raw vegetables are more protective than cooked vegetables.
- Eat fruit
- In both fruits and raw vegetables, vitamins E, C, and Carotene are protective.
- Research to understand what types of foods, smoking, and other ingested materials will protect the health or harm and deteriorate the lining of the esophagus.
Again, hear me yelling, if you are having trouble swallowing get help immediately.
DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING IS ONE OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER’S SYMPTOMS.
Perhaps if we realized the swallowing issue was not just indigestion, my husband and I might have had a chance to grow old together.
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