April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month

Heartburn, indigestion, regurgitation and trouble swallowing. Are all of these just minor inconveniences that are able to be fixed with a treatment found in the aisle of your pharmacy? Not quite.

These symptoms, which affect millions of Americans each year, might be symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) which is one of the primary risk factors of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States, United Kingdom and other western countries.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working to raise awareness all year but especially during the month of April which is 'Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month.'

Learn the Facts About Esophageal Cancer:

• Esophageal cancer has increased over 700% in the past four decades.
• Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States.
• Obesity, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, heavy alcohol use and tobacco use are some risk factors.
• Stage IV esophageal cancer has a survival rate of only 4.9%.
• Symptoms often arise late, once the cancer spreads and becomes difficult to treat.
• Symptoms include (but are not limited to):
  • Painful or difficult swallowing.
  • Weight loss.
  • Pain behind the breastbone.
  • Hoarseness and cough.
  • Indigestion and heartburn.
• There are no routine or standard screening tests to improve early detection.
• Only 19.9% of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer will survive 5(+) years.
• In 2016, an estimated $1.6 billion was spent on esophageal cancer care in the US
• 2021 estimates for esophageal cancer: 19,260 diagnoses and 15,530 deaths.¹

Despite its rapid increase, lack of routine screenings and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer research receives very little private or government funding.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is working to change all of this. The charity awarded two research grants. The first in 2015 and the second in 2018. The research awarded in 2018, a breath test for esophageal cancer, is currently underway. Both grants were given in honor of all the men and women affected by esophageal cancer.

While these are tremendous accomplishments, esophageal cancer research is critically underfunded and medical researchers continuously inquire about funding. In addition, COVID-19 has greatly impacted or delayed screenings, diagnosis and treatments for many individuals who may now be facing advanced prognosis.

Now more than ever, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation critically needs support to fulfill its mission.

Three Ways To Get Involved:

Follow: Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation on social media. Follow and invite your family and friends to follow as well. Facebook.com/SalgiFoundation

Share: Save the infographic below and share it on social media to help raise awareness. Tag @SalgiFoundation in your posts. Click here to get a full size infographic.

Donate: Please consider donating today to the ‘April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month’ Facebook fundraiser! Facebook makes it easy to donate and share the campaign. 100% of all donations go directly towards the mission.

To donate, visit: Facebook.com/donate/2846389948938533

If you or someone you know suffers from any risk factors and/or possible symptoms of esophageal cancer, speak to a doctor and ask about screening for damage and ways to lower your risk.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™ SALGI.org

Sources:
National Cancer Institute
Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News
American Cancer Society