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Health & Fitness

GERD Awareness Week: November 18-24 | Esophageal Cancer Awareness

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is working to bring awareness of the dangerous link between GERD and esophageal cancer.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather together, share thanks and enjoy a delicious feast. The week of Thanksgiving is also dedicated to bringing awareness to a growing disease which affects one out of five Americans.

That disease is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Also known as acid reflux disease, GERD is a condition of the digestive system, which has increased significantly in recent decades.

GERD is also a primary risk factor for esophageal cancer, one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States. Esophageal cancer, like GERD, has also increased significantly in past decades. In fact, incidence of esophageal cancer has risen over 733% in the past four decades and with an overall five-year survival rate of less than 19.2%.

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The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit which awarded its very first grant to esophageal cancer research in July, 2015, is working to once again bring awareness of the dangerous link between GERD and esophageal cancer.

Heartburn, a common symptom of GERD, does not typically cause major concern, as billions of Americans experience it at some point in their lives. However, persistent heartburn, which occurs two or more times a week, should not be taken lightly as it could be a symptom of the disease.

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President of The Salgi Foundation, Linda Molfesi, knows all too well the dangers of heartburn and acid reflux. “My father suffered from chronic heartburn for years and was never warned by doctors of the possible risks. We found out too late, once he started having difficulty swallowing, that his chronic reflux had led to esophageal cancer.” Molfesi continued, “My father passed away a little over a year after he was diagnosed, and it was, and still is, devastating.”

Unfortunately, esophageal cancer has few, if any, early symptoms. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, chronic cough or hoarseness, food getting stuck or choking while eating often occur once the cancer has spread and reaches an advanced stage.

To make matters even worse, there are currently no routine or standard screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earliest stages. Molfesi encourages those who suffer from reflux to be proactive about their health, stating “never ignore frequent heartburn and never rely on medications alone. Talk to your doctor about all of your options, especially how you can get screened for any possible damage.”

Please join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation in raising awareness of the dangerous link between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and esophageal cancer!

Follow The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation online! Visit our social media profile pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube. The more awareness we raise about risk factors and symptoms of esophageal cancer and the importance of early detection, the more lives that can potentially be saved!

Learn the Facts About Esophageal Cancer:

  • No standard or routine screenings
  • Fastest growing cancer in the US and western world
  • Symptoms often arise once the cancer has spread
  • Research receives little public and/or private funding

Esophageal Cancer Risk Factors:

  • Acid reflux disease-GERD (chronic heartburn)
  • Obesity/overweight
  • Poor nutrition
  • Heavy drinking
  • Tobacco use
  • Barrett’s esophagus

Common Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer:

  • Painful/difficulty swallowing
  • Food getting stuck
  • Weight loss
  • Hoarseness or cough
  • Indigestion/heartburn
  • Pain behind breastbone or pain in back

Please visit: SALGI.org/gerd

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity whose mission is to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer in hopes of a cure.™
For more information, please visit: www.salgi.org
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This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice nor intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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