April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. Here are 10 facts you may not know about esophageal cancer:
- The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
- When esophageal cancer occurs, it starts in the inner layers of the esophagus and grows outward.
- Cancer of the esophagus can sometimes narrow the esophagus which may make it difficult to swallow or eat properly.
- Other signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include heartburn, unexplained weight loss, hiccups, or a lasting cough.
- An esophagectomy, surgery to move all or part of the esophagus, is a common treatment for esophageal cancer.
- While recovering from surgery, esophageal cancer patients may not be able to eat by mouth and need a feeding tube to meet their nutritional needs.
- Barrett esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition in which the cells at the lower part of the esophagus have been replaced by abnormal cells due to damage by stomach acid from reflux. People with Barret esophagus are at higher risk for esophageal cancer.
- The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 16,910 new esophageal cancer diagnoses in 2016.
- Esophageal cancer is also 3-4 times more common in men than women.
- The esophageal cancer awareness ribbon is periwinkle.
