The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

From Virginia Mason Foundation:

What if a “cancer breathalyzer” could detect esophageal cancer so early that many patients could be cured without surgery, chemotherapy or radiation? Virginia Mason surgeon Donald Low, MD, FACS, intends to find out, by developing a breath test that could transform diagnosis for the deadly disease. 

“Esophageal cancers don’t typically show symptoms until they’re very advanced, which is why only 20 to 30 percent of patients live for five years after diagnosis,” Dr. Low says. “If a breath test could detect esophageal cancer before it spreads, we could cure many patients with an endoscopic procedure.”

The Salgi Foundation

The research is fueled by the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, which pools donations from individuals to fight esophageal cancer.

To read more, click here or visit: http://www.virginiamasonfoundation.org

From our blog:

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation Issues Esophageal Cancer Research Funding For the Second Time: SALGI.org/blog

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Below is a story from a wife of a man who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  We are very thankful to this couple for sharing their personal experiences with us in order to bring awareness to this devastating cancer.  As his wife said, “I want to bring hope to people facing this horrible disease. [My husband} is a testament to fighting and winning!”

Survivor Story: Borden. Story by wife, Mary A.

My husband was diagnosed on March 3, 2009 with stage 3 Esophageal cancer. He fought it with chemo and radiation first then after 2 months if intensive treatments had the 9.5 hr surgery to remove the cancer. He had to learn how to swallow again and ate through a feeding tube for 7 months. It was such a scary time for us.

Jump ahead to ten years later, he’s doing great!!! He survived with lots of care and prayer. My prayers were answered and I hope his story will help others know, yes you can beat this awful disease!

Awareness, Early Detection and Research

Too often, esophageal cancer is ignored and disregarded. There is a tremendous need to bring not only awareness but tools and resources to encourage early detection and advocacy and actual funding for esophageal cancer research.

The personal stories we share on our website do just that.  They are each equally important and deserve to be published.  Please do not reproduce any of these stories without our permission.  You may contact us with any questions or comments.

Do you have an experience with esophageal cancer that you would like to share either publicly or privately?  To learn more, please visit: Share Your Story.

For more ways to help, please visit:  SALGI.org/ways-to-give 

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The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has issued funding for esophageal cancer research in November, 2018; the second time in just seven years since the charity was founded.

The Foundation awarded principal investigator, Dr. Donald Low and Virginia Mason Medical Center, grant funding.  Dr. George Hanna of St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College London) is co-investigator.

In 2011, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation was established to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer.  Since 2011, the foundation has both raised awareness and encouraged the importance of earliest possible detection throughout New England, across the United States and internationally.  The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation first funded esophageal cancer research in July, 2015.

“The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is excited to be a part of Dr. Low’s, Professor Hanna’s and Virginia Mason’s research efforts in honor of all the brave men and women who have been affected by esophageal cancer and to hopefully reduce incidence and improve outcomes for individuals in the future,” President of the foundation, stated.

The research intends to establish a non-invasive test for the detection of esophageal cancer that is based upon the unique signature of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath and to analyze exhaled VOCs in response to therapeutic intervention in patients.

Learn the Facts About Esophageal Cancer

One of the primary risk factors associated with esophageal cancer is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease, of which the most common symptom is chronic heartburn.  Other risk factors include obesity, heavy drinking, poor nutrition and smoking and/or use of tobacco products.

With over a 733% increase in the past four decades, esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and the western world.¹

There are no current standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages. Current guidelines recommend referral for endoscopy “only in the setting of ‘red flag’ symptoms that are frequently associated with inoperable disease,” Dr. Low stated.

These ‘red flag’ symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced.  This, in addition with other factors mentioned, leads to the current overall five-year survival rate of only 19.2%.²  Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives very little awareness and research funding.

The Salgi Foundation: Past Esophageal Cancer Research Funding

In July, 2015, the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued esophageal cancer research funding to Program Director Dr. Carlos Minacapelli and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnston Medical School.  That research was presented as a poster presentation during Digestive Disease Week in May, 2017.

Thank you!

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation would like to thank all our supporters and donors who believe in this mission and who make these accomplishments possible.  However, this is just the beginning.  The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation continuously receives many requests for esophageal cancer research.  We need to continue our efforts to fundraise so that we may continue to fulfill this mission to raise awareness, encourage early detection and fund research.

To make a tax-deductible donation to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, please visit: SALGI.org/donate.

Sources:

^{1 “}Esophageal Cancer Sees Dramatic Spike.” Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News. 18 October 2018. https://www.gastroendonews.com/In-the-News/Article/10-18/Esophageal-Cancer-Sees-Dramatic-Spike-/53083

² “Cancer Stat Facts: Esophageal Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.  11 December 2018. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html