“Screening tests are used to look for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.” (National Cancer Institute)
Examples of standard, routine screening tests for other cancers:
Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer
Mammogram for breast cancer
Pap test (also known as pap smear) for cervical cancer.
While the overall cancer death rate in the United States has declined in recent years, esophageal cancer incidence and mortality rates have increased dramatically. In fact, esophageal cancer has increased over 600% in the past decades.
Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) is now the fastest growing cancer in the United States. It is also one of the deadliest cancers.
Esophageal cancer does not usually show any signs or symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, often appear once the cancer has spread and becomes advanced.
When esophageal cancer is diagnosed in late stages, it is very difficult to treat the cancer and there is rarely a cure. Patients who are diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer face a five-year survival rate of only 3.8%.
Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer is critical to saving lives.
Tests that may detect esophageal cancer in earlier stages are being studied. Unfortunately, esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded, both from the government and other nonprofits.
You can make a difference by making a tax-deductible donation to help fund these research projects. Click here to donate.
If you think that you may be at risk of esophageal cancer (or any other disease), speak to a doctor immediately. The earlier that esophageal cancer is caught, the better the chances of survival.
The data found here is intended for informational purposes only.
Sources: seer.cancer.gov cancer.gov nlm.nih.gov The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not 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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