Most adults experience heartburn – that annoying pain in your chest after a heavy or spicy meal. Occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about. When heartburn becomes frequent, your doctor may diagnose you with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is one of the major risk factors for developing esophageal cancer in the future.
Heartburn happens when acid from the stomach leaks into the esophagus. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, though sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. The sphincter that connects the esophagus to the stomach is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Sometimes the LES relaxes when it isn’t supposed to, allowing acid to flow up into the esophagus. Laying down after eating can make acid reflux worse and cause heartburn.
Symptoms of heartburn include difficulty swallowing, a burning sensation in the middle of your chest, or regurgitation of sour liquid. It can also cause coughing, laryngitis, and sleep problems.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is diagnosed when mild heartburn occurs two times or more per week. It is also diagnosed when severe heartburn happens one or more times per week. GERD may interfere with your normal routine because of the discomfort.
The cells lining the esophagus may change when exposed to acid for long periods of time. In an attempt to protect themselves from the acid, they begin to resemble the cells of the stomach. When this happens, it’s a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is one of the biggest risk factors for developing esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is relatively rare, making up just 1% of new cancer cases. But, the survival rate is low. Esophageal cancer only has a 20% 5-year survival rate.
When you have frequent heartburn, it is important to see a gastroenterologist. They will determine if you have GERD and may recommend an upper endoscopy. An upper endoscopy helps the doctor see if you have signs of Barrett’s esophagus. If you do show signs, they will take a biopsy. The biopsy will determine the severity of the changes to the esophagus.
For less severe changes, your doctor may then recommend regular monitoring with endoscopy. This is important because if the cells start to become cancerous, they can be found at an early, more treatable stage.
For more severe changes, your gastroenterologist may use the endoscope to remove the affected tissue. Severe changes usually mean the cells are pre-cancerous and need to be taken seriously before cancer develops. Sometimes, surgery to remove all or part of the esophagus is necessary.
Another key to preventing esophageal cancer is to decrease the amount of acid your esophagus is exposed to by treating GERD. There are several lifestyle changes that are part of treatment. Losing weight, sleeping with your head raised, and avoiding fatty foods are a few of them.
Your doctor may recommend you take over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums or Mylanta. They may also prescribe drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) – these medications block the production of acid in the stomach. Common name-brand PPIs are Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid.
Cancer of any type can be a scary topic to think about. The great news is that chronic heartburn and GERD can often be treated successfully. Treatment of GERD lessens the risk of esophageal cancer.
Don’t continue to suffer from regular heartburn and an increased risk of esophageal cancer – schedule an appointment today!
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