For over a decade, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation and our supporters have been sounding the alarm on this deadly and fast rising cancer. Now, two recent articles have shown the impact of little awareness, no routine screenings and insufficient research funding.
The first study found “early surgery yielded better survival outcomes in patients with stage II/III esophageal cancer compared with delayed surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to findings from a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.1”
- Early Vs Delayed Surgery Associated With Improved Survival in Stage II/III Esophageal Cancer, cancernetwork.com
Early detection of esophageal cancer is crucial to saving lives. Unfortunately, red flag warning symptoms of esophageal cancer typically appear late, once the cancer has spread and becomes difficult to treat. There are also no routine screenings to improve early detection. To make matters worse, many are unaware of the risk factors associated with esophageal cancer, like chronic heartburn which could indicate Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
“Timely care should always be the priority for patients,” senior author Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, said in a press release.2 “However, there were times during the COVID-19 pandemic when delays to cancer care occurred. This study, using pre-pandemic data, helps us understand the impact of the delay to care for patients with different stages of operable esophageal cancer.” (CancerNetwork.com)
The second study showed that “Between 2012 and 2019, esophageal cancer rates nearly doubled and prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus increased by 50% among adults aged 45 to 64 years, according to researchers.”
- Increased rates of esophageal cancer, BE in middle-aged adults prompt concern, healio.com
We too often hear and read that esophageal cancer is “rare” and that it “typically impacts older, Caucasian males” and is more common in men than women. The reality is that esophageal cancer is one of the fastest rising and deadliest cancers. Esophageal cancer has increased over 700% in the past four decades. As esophageal cancer is increasing at such an alarming rate, it has impacted more and more people of all ages, sex and race.
What Can You Do?
1. Learn the facts. Knowledge is power. Educate yourself on the facts associated with esophageal cancer.
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 733% in the past 4 decades
- Many are unaware that acid reflux can increase esophageal cancer risk.
- Symptoms often occur once the cancer spreads and is difficult to treat.
- There are no routine screenings to detect the cancer in earlier stages.
- 19.6% of patients diagnosed will survive 5+ years.
- Late-stage survival rate is only 5.7%.
- 2022 estimates: 20,640 new diagnoses and 16,410 deaths.
- Esophageal cancer research is critically underfunded.
2. Join us! Follow and share our social media pages. Encourage your family members and friends to like our pages and share them as well. The more people join this mission, the better!
Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing & deadliest cancers! Chronic heartburn could increase the risk. Donate to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation! SALGI.org/donate
Tweet
Follow: @SalgiFoundation #EsophagealCancer #EsophagealCancerAwareness
3. Donate. Make a one-time or recurring donation to our charity in support of this mission to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™ All donations are 100% tax-deductible, as The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. salgi.org Mailing address: PO Box 1912, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
2022 Infographic
Save the infographic below and share it on social media to help raise awareness. Tag us in your posts. @SalgiFoundation
Sources:
*Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the fastest growing cancer in the United States: Copyright, 2012, Management of Barrett’s oesophagus and intramucosal oesophageal cancer: a review of recent development National Center for Biotechnology Information,S. National Library of Medicine. Bethesda MD, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3437535 Esophageal Cancer Research Funding: “A Snapshot of Esophageal Cancer” http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/snapshots/esophageal
Key Statistics for Esophageal Cancer, The American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
Early Vs Delayed Surgery Associated with Improved Survival in Stage II/III Esophageal Cancer, May 13, 2022, Hayley Virgil: https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/early-vs-delayed-surgery-associated-with-improved-survival-in-stage-ii-iii-esophageal-cancer
Increased rates of esophageal cancer, BE in middle-aged adults prompt concern, May 13, 2022, https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20220513/increased-rates-of-esophageal-cancer-be-in-middleaged-adults-prompt-concern
1. Bajaj SS, Shah KM, Potter AL, et al. Early vs delayed operation for esophageal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Col Sur. Published online May 12, 2022. doi:10.1097/XCS.0000000000000248
2. Delays in surgery for advanced esophageal cancer result in significantly worse survival than early surgery. News release. American College of Surgerons. May 12, 2022. Accessed May 13, 2022. https://bit.ly/3sVP2QD
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation 