The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

The State of Rhode Island has named April “Esophageal Cancer Awarness Month.” We, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Reserach Foundation enlisted the help of Representative. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) to have this resolution passed and therefore promoting  Esophageal Cancer Awareness.

From left to right: Christine, Amedeo, Linda, Rep. Patricia Serpa, Christina and James.

“I think almost everyone can say they know someone who has been affected by cancer,” Representative Serpa said. “But it’s important to highlight a form of cancer that doesn’t necessarily receive as much attention as the others. Oftentimes, this form of cancer is fatal and survivors can’t retain a high quality of life after undergoing surgery. I’m honored the Salgi Foundation would think of me, and I’m excited to help raise awareness of this disease.”The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation was created in memory of our President’s father, who lost his courageous battle with esophageal cancer in 1998. “As a newly formed organization, we felt that having April recognized by the state of Rhode Island as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month would be our first step in bringing awareness about this terrible disease,” said Salgi Foundation’s President.

In 2007, Rhode Island ranked fourth in the country for incidents of cancer of the esophagus, or the tube that pushes food from the mouth to the stomach.  For more information, or to assist us in gaining awareness and funding for esophageal cancer please contact us today or make a tax-deductible donation.

Read Rep. Serpa’s Official Press Release Here

Read The Official RI House Resolution Here

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced approval of a new surgical device to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease otherwise known as GERD.

The device is called “The LINK Reflux Management System” and is surgically placed for patients who have chronic acid reflux (GERD) and for those patients whose symptoms are not relieved from regular use of medical therapy or for those who want to avoid a lifetime of medical therapy.

The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle which connects from the stomach to the esophagus and prevents the backflow of stomach acid, food and drink back up into the esophagus.  When this muscle does not function properly, stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, causing reflux and irritation to the esophagus.  Over time, this can lead to a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s Esophagus or esophageal cancer.

A series of titanium beads each with a magnetic core, in the shape of a ring, are connected with titanium wires and implanted at the lower esophageal sphincter to help prevent stomach contents from flowing back up into the esophagus.

To read more about the new LINK Reflux Management System, you can read the official news release.

A team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified two cancer-promoting pathways in esophageal cancer.

The discovery indicates that these pathways are crucial in the development of esophageal cancer development and progression of the disease. These groundbreaking findings can lead to advanced therapy for esophageal cancer which is already developed.

A combination of two FDA approved drugs which are used in other types of cancer have been shown to “steeply reduced the tumor burden in a mouse model of esophageal adenocarcinoma,” stated Mien-Chie Hung, Ph.D.

“Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with fewer than 20 percent of patients surviving for five years, the study notes. And it has become more frequent in the United States by 5 to 10 percent annually since the 1980s. Inflammation and obesity are thought to be driving factors in this increased incidence”, Hung said.

The team of researchers conducted experiments with cell lines, mouse models and actual human tumor samples.

To read the full story released by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, click here.

Our story made it to the Providence Business News!

Read the full story here:  “New cancer research foundation formed.”

CoxHealth announced that it has been named among the nations ‘Best Regional Hopsitals’ in 2011-12.  The U.S. News & World Report published the report.

“All Best Regional Hospitals are what we call ‘high performers’ in at least one medical specialty,” says Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “They are fully capable of providing first-rate care, even to most patients who have serious conditions or need demanding procedures.”

CoxHealth, located in Springfield, Missouri, offers patients a new treatment which helps in the prevention of esophageal cancer, the fastest-growing form of cancer in the western world.  The procedure is endoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy using the Halo Ablation System.

This procedure can remove Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer.  Over 2 million people are diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus  every year and the diagnosis can increase the chances of developing cancer of the esophagus; especially in patients who are obese or smoke.

Diagnosis of esophageal cancer is usually after the disease has developed into advanced stages, which decreases the chance of patients survival after surgery and also decreases patients five year survival rate. The new procedure allows physicians to reverse the development of the cancer of the esophagus in its earliest stages.

Early detection and treatment are two of the most important factors in ensuring esophageal cancer is not only treated but allows patients to remain cancer free in the following years.

To read CoxHealth’s official press release, click here.

Latest studies have found that cancer caused death rates have decreased in the United States between 2003 and 2007.  However, some cancers are not decreasing and are instead on the rise.  Esophageal cancer is one which is not only on the rise, but has been found to be one of the fastest growing cancers in comparison to others.

Gastroenterologist Leon J. Yoder, DO, of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma stated in an article featured on an Everday Health article that esophageal cancer cases are an “epidemic worldwide.” There are several reasons that experts have found contribute to the increase of esophageal cancer cases in the United States.  Most factors which contribute to the increase are due to lifestyle behaviors such as: obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

As obesity rates continue to climb in the United States, esophageal cancer also increases.  Studies have shown that greater abdominal girth increases the chance of esophageal cancer.    A diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables can significantly increase the chance of esophageal cancer.

Alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, hard liquor and frequent alcohol consumption increases risks for esophageal cancer.   While, smoking rates in the United States have declined, smoking is still a large risk for esophageal cancer. The increase of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) sufferers has also been on a steady rise in the past years.  This contributes greatly to the diagnoses of Barret esophagus, a precancerous condition within the esophagus which can lead to esophageal cancer.   GERD sufferers should be screened for Barret esophagus and for any other abnormalities within the esophagus.

The increase in national cases of esophageal cancer can also be attributed to the combination of several of the indicators listed above.  When combined with family history of gastrointestinal issues, the risk of esophageal cancer increases as well.

There are many simple lifestyle changes that can be made to avoid esophageal cancer.   Losing weight, eating healthy and keeping control of acid reflux or GERD are important ways to help reduce your risk factors for developing esophageal cancer.

Also, early detection through routine doctor checkups and getting screened for precancerous or any other abnormal activity in the esophagus is imperative.  The earlier any abnormal or precancerous cells are detected and treated; the better chance of not only survival of esophageal cancer, but a normal to moderate quality of life after survivorship of esophageal cancer.

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.