Dr Oz: Esophageal Cancer Risk Assessment & Barrett’s Esophagus

Dr Oz: Esophageal Cancer

Dr Oz gave a variety of Cancer Warning Signs on his show, including guides for Pancreatic Cancer and Brain Cancer. Next on his list was Esophageal Cancer, and he shared how your high acid diet or late eating habits could be related to your Esophageal Cancer risk.

Esophageal Cancer Warning Signs

Dr Oz’s guest, Dr Jonathan Aviv, discussed the Esophageal Cancer risk factors and cancer fighters that could help you or a loved one get an early sign of cancer. Here are a few warning signs.

• Persistent Lump in Throat
• Heartburn
• AM Hoarseness

A Dr Oz audience member reported all these symptoms. Her doctor did a test by removing part of her Esophagus. She was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer.

Dr Aviv is an ENT, and he explained that acid in the stomach can travel to the Esophagus, slowly causing Esophageal Cancer. Dr Oz explained how your stomach and Esophagus are connected, and how stomach acid on the move can cause health problems.

Dr Oz: Esophageal Cancer Risk Assessment

Here are three key factors that could determine your likelihood of contracting Esophageal Cancer.

Acidic Diet

Are you eating a lot of acidic foods? This can increase your Esophageal Cancer risk. Cutting out coffee or other caffeine sources is one place to start. Chocolate, alcohol, raw tomatoes, raw garlic, and even breath mints could be acidic.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking is bad for your health in many ways, and now you can add Esophageal Cancer to the list. Dr Aviv explained that nicotine loosens muscle in the Esophagus and boosts acid production. (Not to mention your obvious Lung Cancer risk.)

Barrett’s Esophagus

Dr Oz demonstrated how acid in the stomach isn’t harmful, because that’s where it belongs. But lying down after you eat or eating acidic foods can make acid move around in the Esophagus. Its delicate tissue could easily be destroyed, leading to Acid Reflux Disease or eventually a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus.

How To Avoid Esophageal Cancer

Dr Oz also shared three solutions to lower your risk for Esophageal Cancer.

Eat Early

Don’t eat dinner close to your bedtime. Put at least three hours between your last meal and your head hitting the pillow.

Proton Pump Inhibitors & Histamine Blockers

Heartburn is often treated with Proton Pump Inhibitors or Histamine Blockers. But Dr Oz said these medications can prevent Calcium from getting absorbed.

These medications may mask symptoms and you might still be burning your Esophagus without feeling it. Dr Aviv said your heartburn symptoms should totally subside within two weeks of starting these medications. But persistent symptoms are something to discuss with your doctor.

Nasal Esophagoscopy

Finally, Dr Aviv demonstrated the Nasal Esophagoscopy, which is similar to a Colonoscopy, but performed on the throat. The patient is not sedated, and can even talk, which seems surprising. A tube is inserted in the nose and travels to the intersection of the Esophagus and stomach. It’s a screening test for Esophageal Cancer.

DeGregorio Family Foundation for Stomach & Esophageal Cancer Research

Dr Oz profiled research organizations dedicated to each of the types of cancer highlighted on his show. In this segment, he highlighted the work of the DeGregorio Family Foundation for Stomach & Esophageal Cancer Research, and suggested making online donations.