stomach | The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

Imagine A World With No Tobacco

May 31, 2014

World No Tobacco Day is Saturday, May 31, 2014. Tobacco use has been linked to a number of health related problems. The use of tobacco products has been linked to lethal diagnoses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema. Tobacco use is also linked to non-life-threatening issues such as yellow teeth, bad breath, pre-mature aging of the skin, vision loss and not to mention a significant financial burden.

Tobacco products include but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, chewing tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. Use of all of these aforementioned products increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports that smokers who smoke a pack a day have double the risk of developing esophageal cancer than a nonsmoker. The risk further increases when combined with other risk factors such as chronic heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), family history of cancer, obesity, Barrett’s Esophagus, poor nutrition, and excessive alcohol use.

But! There is good news. The risk of esophageal cancer has the potential of decreasing the sooner one stops using tobacco and the longer that they stay away from tobacco products. The body begins to immediately repair itself. In fact, within just 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood drops to normal and oxygen levels increase to normal.*

“In March 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the first-ever paid national tobacco education campaign—Tips From Former Smokers (Tips). Tips encourages people to quit smoking by showing the toll that smoking-related illnesses take on smokers and their loved ones. The hard-hitting ads show people living with the real and painful consequences of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.”

If you or someone you know is ready to quit, visit CDC’s website and utilize their “Tips Guide” to quit now and quit for good.

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.

Leave a Comment » | The Salgi Foundation - Esophageal Cancer Awareness, Early Detection & Research | Tagged: acid, acid reflux, acid reflux disease, acid reflux drugs, acid reflux medication, adenocarinoma, awareness, barrett's, barrett's esophagus, brain cancer, breast cancer, cancer, cancer of the brain, cancer of the breast, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the lungs, cancer of the mouth, cancer of the pancreas, cancer of the stomach, cancer of the throat, cancer risk, cancer risk factors, cancer run, cancer walk, carcinoma, charity, colon cancer, diet, disease, disease risk factors, drugs, esophageal, esophageal cancer, esophageal cancer awareness, esophageal cancer research, esophagus, exercise, gastroenterology, gerd, health, healthy., heart, heart attack, heart disease, heartburn, heartburn medication, heartburn sufferer, heartburn symptoms, lifestyle, liver cancer, lung, lung cancer, medication, mouth, mouth cancer, news, nutrition, obesity, Pancreas, pancreatic cancer, ppi, reflux disease, rhode island, ri, risk factors, silent reflux, skin cancer, smoke, smoking, smoking risk factors, squamous cell, squamous cell carcinoma, stomach, stomach cancer, throat, throat cancer, tobacco, tobacco cancer, tobacco risk factors, tobacco use | Permalink
Posted by salgiblogs

What Role Does The Esophagus Play In The Digestive System?

May 29, 2014

Today, May 29, 2014, is World Digestive Health Day! As advocates of esophageal health and the prevention of esophageal cancer; we find it very important to increase awareness and education of the important role that the esophagus plays in the digestive system.

The esophagus is the first conduit in the digestive tube and plays a simple yet significant part in the human digestive system. When we swallow, food or liquids are pushed from the mouth into a muscular tube, the esophagus and into the stomach.

The lower esophageal sphincter is located at the base of the esophagus and is responsible for controlling the passage of food and liquid between the esophagus and stomach. The LES is a ring-shaped muscle which relaxes to allow food and liquid into the stomach. Once the food and liquid pass through the relaxed sphincter, it closes back up, thus keeping the food and liquid in the stomach.

Problems arise when the LES weakens and does not close properly. When this happens, stomach contents escape the stomach and flow back up into the esophagus. This backflow of stomach content is called reflux. For those who experience reflux symptoms (heartburn included) more than twice a week may have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Over time, the back-flow of stomach contents and acids irritate the esophagus and can cause serious damage to the esophagus, including esophageal cancer.

Join us in raising awareness of the importance of esophageal health today and everyday!

Like and share with us on Facebook and follow and re-tweet us on Twitter! You can find links to our other social media sites below.