The holidays are a wonderful time of year when family and friends can gather together and enjoy an abundant feast filled with our favorite foods. Certain habits, however, can cause some unwanted holiday heartburn.
While occasional heartburn is not typically a cause for concern, as billions of Americans experience heartburn at some point in their lives, heartburn that occurs more than twice weekly should not be taken lightly, as it could be an indicator of GERD. GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease which is a disease of the digestive system.
Learn how to enjoy the holidays and all of the delicious foods while managing your acid reflux symptoms. Here are a few tips for you to take with you to the holiday dinner table:
Limit beverage consumption while eating. Sometimes fluids, especially carbonated beverages, can cause more gas in the stomach when combined with food intake. Try to drink slowly after you are done eating.
Monitor what you are eating and avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. Foods that have the worse effects on acid reflux are spicy, fatty, fried and citrus foods. Food and drinks that trigger GERD symptoms vary from person to person, so it is important to know your body and determine which are best for you.
Limit or avoid alcohol. There are some people, however, who should avoid all alcohol consumption, as even the smallest amounts can cause acid reflux. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acids. Alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that is in charge of keeping stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus.
Don’t over-eat. Ask for a smaller plate, take a small sample from each dish and choose “safe” foods that you’ve predetermined do not flare up your acid reflux symptoms. When you’re feeling tempted to overindulge, ask yourself “Is having that second helping of pumpkin pie worth the hours of pain and misery due to the acid reflux afterwards?”
Chew slowly. Help your digestive system by chewing every bite slowly and thoroughly. Put your fork down in between bites to help remind yourself to go slow while eating.
Wear loose clothing. Clothing which is tight especially around the mid-section can put extra pressure on the abdomen and increase acid reflux symptoms.
Sit upright for several hours after you’ve eaten. Or better yet, take a leisurely family stroll around the neighborhood to help settle your stomach and aid digestion. Avoid any rigorous exercise, as it can upset the digestion process and cause reflux symptoms.
Pass on the after-dinner coffee. For some, coffee can increase acid reflux and cause symptoms to flare up. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have shown to aggravate GERD symptoms.
Ditch all tobacco products. Tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco not only worsens GERD symptoms, but it can cause people to develop GERD. Like alcohol, tobacco weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and increases stomach acids.
Also known as acid reflux disease, GERD is a progressive disease, which means that it worsens overtime, especially if it is not properly treated. The reflux of acids from the stomach damages the lining of the esophagus and can cause major health problems, including an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing frequent or chronic heartburn or if your acid reflux symptoms are worsening.
If you, or someone you know, has GERD, RefluxMD has put together an eBook that is surely a must-read! To download a FREE copy of “I Have GERD, Now What?”, click here.
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.
Today is Giving Tuesday! The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is honored to participate in this third annual event. In 2012, a group of nonprofit professionals decided to create an annual day of giving. They positioned it around the biggest days of consuming, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday opens the giving season and with your help, we will raise funds to spread awareness, encourage early detection and support research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™
How can you help make Giving Tuesday a success?
Help us get the word out on social media by visiting and liking our pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;
Consider a donation: SALGI.org/donate, as a 501(c)(3) charity, all donations are tax-deductible;
Share photos of your loved ones who have been affected by esophageal cancer on social media. Tag us in the photos and we’ll re-post them on our pages;
Invite your co-workers, family members and friends to contribute by using the message below via social media or email:
“I am supporting The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation today on Giving Tuesday and I hope you will, too! [Optional: Insert personal story/reason for helping.] Did you know esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute? You can support awareness and research efforts by making a tax-deductible donating online: SALGI.org/donate, and by sharing this information with your friends, family and colleagues by email or on Facebook and/or Twitter. Thank you in advance!“
Giving Tuesday helps to unite us in the spirit of giving and to bring a spotlight to esophageal cancer, a cause that needs desperate attention. Let’s make this Giving Tuesday a great success! Thank you in advance for helping to make a difference today and every day.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year when family and friends can gather together, share thanks and enjoy an abundant feast filled with our favorite foods. Certain habits can cause some unwanted holiday heartburn. Learn how to enjoy the holidays and all of the delicious foods while managing your acid reflux symptoms.
Here are a few tips for you to take with you to the Thanksgiving dinner table:
Limit beverage consumption while eating. Sometimes fluids, especially carbonated beverages, can cause more gas in the stomach when combined with food intake. Try to drink slowly after you are done eating.
Monitor what you are eating and avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. Foods that have the worse effects on acid reflux are spicy, fatty, fried and citrus foods. Food and drinks that trigger GERD symptoms vary from person to person, so it is important to know your body and determine which are best for you.
Limit or avoid alcohol. There are some people, however, who should avoid all alcohol consumption, as even the smallest amounts can cause acid reflux. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acids. Alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that is in charge of keeping stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus.
Don’t over-eat. Ask for a smaller plate, take a small sample from each dish and choose “safe” foods that you’ve predetermined do not flare up your acid reflux symptoms. When you’re feeling tempted to overindulge, ask yourself “Is having that second helping of pumpkin pie worth the hours of pain and misery due to the acid reflux afterwards?”
Chew slowly. Help your digestive system by chewing every bite slowly and thoroughly. Put your fork down in between bites to help remind yourself to go slow while eating.
Wear loose clothing. Clothing which is tight especially around the mid-section can put extra pressure on the abdomen and increase acid reflux symptoms.
Sit upright for several hours after you’ve eaten. Or better yet, take a leisurely family stroll around the neighborhood to help settle your stomach and aid digestion. Avoid any rigorous exercise, as it can upset the digestion process and cause reflux symptoms.
Pass on the after-dinner coffee. For some, coffee can increase acid reflux and cause symptoms to flare up. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have shown to aggravate GERD symptoms.
Ditch all tobacco products. Tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco not only worsens GERD symptoms, but it can cause people to develop GERD. Like alcohol, tobacco weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and increases stomach acids.
While occasional heartburn is not typically a cause for concern, as billions of Americans experience heartburn at some point in their lives, heartburn that occurs more than twice weekly should not be taken lightly, as it could be an indicator of GERD. GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease which is a disease of the digestive system.
Also known as acid reflux disease, GERD is a progressive disease, which means that it worsens overtime, especially if it is not properly treated. The reflux of acids from the stomach damages the lining of the esophagus and can cause major health problems, including an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing frequent or chronic heartburn or if your acid reflux symptoms are worsening.
If you, or someone you know, has GERD, RefluxMD has put together an eBook that is surely a must-read! To download a FREE copy of “I Have GERD, Now What?”, click here.
From all of your friends at The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, we wish you a happy, healthy and heartburn-free Thanksgiving!
Wendl, B., Pfeiffer, A., Pehl, C., Schmidt, T. and Kaess, H. 1994. Effect of decaffeination of coffee or tea on gastro-oesophageal reflux. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 8(3):283-7.
Factors that Contribute to GERD — Use of Tobacco Products, E-MedTV.com
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.
As the holiday season approaches, you are getting ready to spend time with loved ones, exchange gifts and celebrate the season and all of its joys. It is also a wonderful time of year to share our important mission with everyone that you know. We at The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation understand how valuable your time is; especially during the next few months. Here are a few simple yet powerful ways to take a stand against esophageal cancer during the holidays.
During your Thanksgiving preparations and feast, take time to spread the message regarding the dangerous link between chronic heartburn and esophageal cancer. GERD Awareness Week occurs annually on the week of Thanksgiving. This year GERD Awareness Week starts on Sunday November 23 and ends on Saturday November 29th.
While it is tempting to indulge in our favorite holiday foods and then sometimes even experience a little heartburn, it is certainly a cause for concern if heartburn occurs more than what doctors consider normal, which is twice a week or more. You might be surprised how many people still do not know of the dangers associated with chronic heartburn, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease. Remember, chronic heartburn that is not properly treated can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Learn more about GERD and what you can do to promote this important week on our “GERD Week” page.
During this season of joy, we ask that you remember us and consider a memorial or tribute donation as a gift to your loved ones. Your donations go directly to our mission of raising awareness, encouraging early detection and funding research of esophageal cancer in hopes of a cure. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation will send a letter of acknowledgement to your loved one, notifying them of your gift donation. To make a memorial or tribute donation, click here.
When you shop AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to our charity each time a purchase is made. This is one of the most effortless ways to give back during the holiday season. Skip the chaos and crowds onBlack Friday, shop online in the convenience of your own home all while supporting this mission. Don’t forget Cyber Monday! AmazonSmile will have even more deals for the holidays on Monday, December 1, 2014, to help you raise even more for esophageal cancer research without spending any extra money. Encourage everyone you know to shop AmazonSmile and select us as your charity to support. AmazonSmile can be done year-round, too. Use this link each and every time you shop on Amazon. Click here!
Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, you can join us and together we can celebrate this day in honor of everyone who has been affected by esophageal cancer. Encourage everyone you know to make a donation using this link: SALGI.org/donate. Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday along with #EsophagealCancer on social media and tag us in your posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Connect with us using the buttons below and share this life-saving mission with everyone you know!
Before reaching for that daily antacid, you might consider what it’s doing to the trillions of bugs living in your gut. A new Mayo Clinic study in the open access journal Microbiome shows that people who regularly take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have less diversity among their gut bacteria, putting them at increased risk for infections like clostridium difficile and pneumonia, in addition to vitamin deficiencies and bone fractures.
“Evidence has been mounting for years that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors poses increased risks for a variety of associated complications, but we have never really understood why,” says John DiBaise, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and senior author on the study. “What this study does for the first time is demonstrate a plausible explanation for these associated conditions.”
The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria. Rather than causing disease, most of these bacteria are friendly and aid in everything from digestion and vitamin synthesis to immune system regulation and possibly, mood stabilization.
Diet, genetics and environmental exposure all play a role in maintaining a healthy microbiome, which is critical to overall wellness, says Dr. DiBaise. Significant changes to the microbiome, like those caused by proton pump inhibitors, can put people at risk for over-colonization by such undesirable species as clostridium difficile, he says.
Proton pump inhibitors are primarily used to treat ulcers and acid reflux, and include the generic names omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole and dexlansoprazole.
Many epidemiological studies have linked PPIs to nutritional, metabolic and infectious disorders, despite the class of drugs’ long history of safety and efficacy. Specifically, their prolonged use has been associated with iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies, hypomagnesemia, osteoporosis-related fractures, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and community-acquired pneumonia. The Food and Drug Administration has issued several safety communications about use of high-dose PPIs (available through prescription) and long-term use at any dose, including over-the-counter medications.
Safety implications of the study have yet to be determined, and patients should consult a qualified medical professional before changing any drug regimen, says Dr. DiBaise.
“We’re not saying people should stop taking their regular antacids; despite the many health risks associated with PPI use, they have an extensive track record of safety when used as directed,” Dr. DiBaise says. “What we are saying is that the medical and research communities should consider these medications in the context of the patient’s microbiome. This is an area that needs further study.”
In patients with mild reflux symptoms, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to curb discomfort, Dr. DiBaise says. Non-pharmacological methods to control acid reflux include:
Eat smaller portions at meals
Consume less fat
Avoid laying down for at least 2 hours after eating (avoid late-night snacks)
Wear loose fitting clothing
Elevate the head of the bed about 6 inches (this is best done by placing a block under the headboard, rather than stacking pillows)
Lose weight (as little as 5 to 10 pounds may help)
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and foods that trigger symptoms
Daily medications become necessary in those whose reflux symptoms persist and impair their quality of life despite these lifestyle modifications, says Dr. DiBaise. Whether less potent acid inhibitors like histamine H2 antagonists, cause similar changes to the microbiome is unknown.
Coauthors of the study are Charlie Seto of the University of Minnesota, and Patricio Jeraldo, Ph.D., Robert Orenstein, D.O., and Nicholas Chia, Ph.D., all of Mayo Clinic.
The study was funded by the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine and the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. Dr. Jeraldo received funding for this project from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The above story is based on materials provided by Mayo Clinic. The original article was written by Sam Smith.
References:
Charlie T Seto, Patricio Jeraldo, Robert Orenstein, Nicholas Chia, John K DiBaise.Prolonged use of a proton pump inhibitor reduces microbial diversity: implications for Clostridium difficile susceptibility. Microbiome, 2014; 2 (1): 42 DOI: 10.1186/2049-2618-2-42Mayo Clinic. “Proton pump inhibitors decrease diversity in gut microbiome, increase risk for complications.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 November 2014. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141125074656.htm
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.
As GERD Awareness week continues, we’ve put together a list of the most common food and drinks that the majority of people say triggers their heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux disease. Food and drinks that trigger acid reflux symptoms vary from person to person, so it is important to manage your diet according to the foods and drink that trigger your symptoms.
Please remember to always speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your health especially if you are experiencing frequent heartburn. Heartburn which occurs more than twice a week may indicate GERD and if not properly treated can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus and can also increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Most Common Heartburn Triggers:
-Alcohol.
-Spicy foods.
-Fatty and fried foods.
-Tomatoes and tomato sauce.
-Chocolate.
-Peppermint.
-Citrus fruits and juices.
-Coffee and caffeinated drinks.
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.
It has long been known that esophageal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. Right now, due to lack of awareness, no standard or routine screenings and underfunded research, the outlook for esophageal cancer is grim.
While a diagnosis of esophageal cancer is daunting, especially when diagnosed in its later stages, the statistics that you will read below are not intended to predict individual outcomes and are only estimates. A number of factors play a big role in survival of all esophageal cancer diagnoses, from Stage I to Stage IV. These factors include but are not limited to treatment and the overall health of the patient.
The purpose of this post is to stress the importance of:
1. Early detection of esophageal cancer and
2. Research of treatment options aimed at curing advanced esophageal cancer.
“When esophageal cancer is found very early, there is a better chance of recovery. Esophageal cancer is often in an advanced stage when it is diagnosed. At later stages, esophageal cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured.” (National Cancer Institute)
“When esophageal cancer is found very early, there is a better chance of recovery.”
When patients are diagnosed with early stage esophageal cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 39.6%.
Unfortunately, only 21.3% of patients are diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the local stage. The term “local stage” means that the cancer is only growing in the esophagus.
If and when standard and routine guidelines are established for screening of esophageal cancer, it will help to increase the number of people who are diagnosed early and therefore improve the chances of survival.
“Esophageal cancer is often in an advanced stage when it is diagnosed.”
More than 67% of patients are diagnosed with regional or distant esophageal cancer. The 5-year survival rate of regional esophageal cancer is 21.1%. However, distant esophageal cancer, which is also referred to as Stage IV esophageal cancer, has a 5-year survival rate of less than 4%.
“At later stages, esophageal cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured.”
When esophageal cancer is diagnosed in late stages, it is difficult to completely rid the patient of cancer. Treatment options rarely include surgery. The main focus of treatment for advanced esophageal cancer is to control the cancer and to relieve any symptoms caused by the cancer. The latter is called palliative therapy. (American Cancer Society)
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation strives to provide people with information they need to be proactive about their potential risk and to seek the help of a doctor. We must work together to change the course of this deadly cancer.
For more information, please visit the sources below that were used in this post. Please remember to connect with us on Facebook to share this life-saving information.
-Esophageal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®), National Cancer Institute, cancer.gov-SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Esophageal Cancer, Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, seer.cancer.gov-Survival rates for cancer of the esophagus by stage; Treating cancer of the esophagus by stage;Palliative therapy for cancer of the esophagus, American Cancer Society, cancer.org
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.
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.
Thanksgiving, a time for family and friends to gather together, share thanks and enjoy a delicious feast. But did you know that the week of Thanksgiving is also dedicated to bringing awareness to a disease that 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, the fastest growing cancer in the United States. Esophageal cancer, similar to GERD, has also increased significantly in past decades. In fact, incidence of esophageal cancer has risen over 600% and with an overall five-year survival rate of 17.5%, is among the deadliest of cancers.
Click hereto learn how you can help spread awareness of GERD Awareness Week!
RefluxMD, a San Diego, CA, based Internet healthcare company focused on helping people suffering from GERD, has teamed up with The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit charity located in Rhode Island, to bring awareness of the dangerous link between GERD and esophageal cancer.
GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weakened or damaged. “The function of the LES is to act as a gatekeeper, opening to allow food to pass into the stomach and then closing to prevent the contents of the stomach (food, acid and other secretions) from back flowing or refluxing into the esophagus,” Bruce Kaechele, founder of RefluxMD states.
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.
Some lifestyle changes can help to manage GERD symptoms, including avoid eating at least three hours before bed, stay upright after meals, lose weight, moderate exercise and avoiding certain foods that trigger symptoms. Surgery may be an option for some patients. Kaechele warns that “GERD is a progressive disease and can worsen if not treated properly.”
Overtime, the backflow of acid damages the lining of the esophagus and can cause serious medical conditions, which include chronic cough or hoarseness, bleeding or scarring of the esophagus, ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus (which is an abnormal change in the lining of the esophagus that increases the risk of esophageal cancer).
President of The Salgi Foundation knows all too well the dangers of acid reflux. “My father suffered from chronic acid reflux for years and was never warned by doctors of any possible risks. We never knew how much damage his reflux was causing until it was too late.” She continued, “My father passed away a little over a year from the time he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It was and still is devastating.”
Many chronic heartburn sufferers turn to antacids or other over-the-counter medications for relief. Others seek help from their doctors and are prescribed medications known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the amount of acid in the stomach; treating the symptoms of GERD but not the disease. Many PPI medications no longer require a prescription and can be purchased over-the-counter.
A recent poll conducted by RefluxMD concerning PPI medications showed that the majority of patients who were prescribed PPIs by their doctors were never told that the medications “only treated symptoms, but that reflux would continue and the disease could progress,” and were also never told that “there were potential negative side effects (e.g. osteoporosis, bacterial infections, etc.”)
According to RefluxMD, PPIs are overprescribed. “Research has proven that over 30% of daily PPI users are not refluxing. Although long-term use of PPIs daily may reduce or eliminate symptoms; they do not stop the flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. Consequently, GERD can progress and potentially lead to serious complications, such as Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.”
It is important to never stop taking any medications until you have spoken to your doctor.
In addition to GERD, other risk factors associated with esophageal cancer include obesity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, excessive drinking and Barrett’s esophagus. 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 occurs once the cancer has spread and reaches an advanced stage.
Since there are currently no routine or standard screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earliest stages, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation encourages those who may be at risk to be proactive and get screened as early as possible to see if there is any damage.
RefluxMD and The Salgi Foundation urge people to “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.”
Click hereto learn how you can help spread awareness of the dangerous link between chronic heartburn and acid reflux.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity established in Rhode Island. The Salgi Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer in hopes of a cure.
RefluxMD: A San Diego-based RefluxMD believes there is a better way to treat reflux disease. The Internet healthcare company has partnered with leading reflux specialists to champion a new approach to more effectively treat reflux disease patients and to create tools that help patients take control of their treatment. RefluxMD is designed to be a complete, personalized reflux resource. Visit: www.refluxmd.com
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.
For years, doctors and researchers believed that Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. Over the past decades, esophageal cancer has increased over 600% and is now the fastest growing cancer in the United States*. Esophageal cancer is also one of the deadliest cancers, as less than 20% of those diagnosed with esophageal cancer will only survive five years.
While there are no known reasons for this alarming rise in esophageal cancer, researchers agree that the increase in obesity and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) may be to blame.*
But new research shows that PPIs may also play a significant role in the increase of esophageal cancer.
What are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medicines that work by reducing the amount of stomach acid made by glands in the lining of your stomach. PPIs are used to treat the symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.*
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a primary risk factor for esophageal cancer.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
What causes GERD?
GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weakened or damaged. The LES is then unable to close and keep food, acid and other secretions from flowing backwards or refluxing into the esophagus. Overtime, the reflux of stomach contents and acids can cause serious damage to the esophagus, including bleeding and scarring of the esophagus, ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.
Lifestyle changes can help to manage GERD symptoms.
Some of these changes are to avoid eating at least three hours before bed, stay upright after meals, lose weight, moderate exercise and avoiding certain foods that trigger symptoms. Surgery may be an option for some patients.
PPIs only treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease.
Many chronic heartburn sufferers turn to antacids or other over-the-counter medications for relief. Others seek help from their doctors and are prescribed medications known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the amount of acid in the stomach; treating the symptoms of GERD but not the disease. Some PPIs do not require a prescription and can be also purchased over-the-counter.
RefluxMD states: “since their introduction in 1989 the cost of [PPIs] has grown to over $11 billion dollars annually while adenocarcinoma, esophageal cancer that results from GERD, has become the fastest growing cancer in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia (Reflux-Induced Esophageal Cancer Trends)
PPIs work to control the symptoms of GERD but they do not reduce acid reflux or prevent the progression of the disease and the damage to the esophagus,RefluxMD
Dr. Jaime Koufman, a physician in New York who specializes in voice disorders and acid reflux, wrote an article in the New York Timeswhich details the dangerous link between acid reflux, PPI use and esophageal cancer.
“A Danish study published this year concluded that there were no cancer-protective effects from using the common anti-reflux medications, called proton pump inhibitors and that regular long-term use was actually associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.”
The Danish study also showed that “PPI use may facilitate the formation of carcinogenic bile acids.” These bile acids are responsible for the sometimes pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus and an elevated risk of esophageal cancer.
Stomach juices also contain the compound gastrin, which has been shown to “stimulate cell growth that may contribute to cancer.” The Danish study showed that levels of gastrin can increase with the use of PPIs and other similar medications and that PPIs “may increase the risk of gastrointestinal tumours.” (People’s Pharmacy)
Danish researchers agree that further research is needed to study the association of PPIs, acid reflux and esophageal cancer. However, they offer the following suggestion for PPI use:
“Until the results from future studies can further elucidate the association, PPIs should be restricted to symptom control according to current guidelines. Hence, PPIs may not protect against malignant progression in BO [Barrett’s Oesophagus] patients and in selected high-risk patients, clinicians may consider adding or replacing long-term medical treatment with other modalities.”*
Do not stop taking any medications and do not make any changes regarding your health without first consulting your doctor. It is important to discuss these issues with your doctor and explore alternate ways to reduce and/or treat your acid reflux disease and to reduce your risk of esophageal cancer.
Methods of preventing esophageal cancer need to be researched and that can only happen with your help! Consider a financial contribution to help support research, which will explore prevention of esophageal cancer research. Click here to donate.
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.
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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