Esophageal cancer, which appears to be on the rise, particularly among middle-aged Americans, is now being considered a “silent killer,” new data has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of esophageal cancer often go unnoticed until the cancer is already very advanced. That is why this particular type of cancer is considered one of the most “insidious”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indicatively, the most recent studies revealed that the rate of this cancer almost doubled in people aged 45 to 64, while the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition, rose by about 50% in the same age group between 2012 and 2019 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exact reason for the increase in esophageal cancer in younger people is not fully understood. However, increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy diet and chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are possible factors, explains study author, University of Florida Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endoscopy, Dr. Bashar Qumseya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic heartburn leads to Barrett’s esophagus, which, in turn, causes abnormal changes in the cells of the esophagus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is noted that the increase in the rates of esophageal cancer in younger people reflects the same trend as in the case of colon cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“With colon cancer, we used to recommend screening at age 50, and then we saw compelling evidence that the rate was increasing in younger people, so some groups are now calling for screening at age 45,” Qumseya said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are no screening guidelines for esophageal cancer yet, but Qumseya suggested that “maybe it’s time to follow the same logic, particularly if a person is dealing with other risk factors,” such as alcohol use and smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If you have reflux or other risk factors for esophageal cancer, consider having a screening endoscopy when you have a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer,” advised Qumseya, assuring that both tests can be done at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the study, researchers used the electronic health records of about 5 million people in Florida, looking for rates of esophageal cancer and Barrett’s esophagus in people in three age groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
18 to 44,
45 to 64 and
over 65 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The researchers found that cancer rates were higher in the older age group, and they safely concluded that the increase in esophageal cancer rates among middle-aged people was not due to more aggressive screening, as, during the study period, there was no increase in the percentage of endoscopies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The findings will be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022, held online in San Diego May 21-24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the future, Qumseya and his colleagues plan to reexamine the data, with the goal of distinguishing between the two types of esophageal cancer: esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dr. Devika Rao, MD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey, said this prospective study is key to research, as each type has different potential causes and risks to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Squamous cell cancers are more prevalent in Eastern Europe and Asia and are mainly caused by smoking and exposure to smoke,” said Rao. Conversely, obesity and diet are the two factors most associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Population studies like these are important for raising awareness in both the general public and medical communities,” she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, he stressed: “It is worrying that cancers that were once considered a disease of the elderly are evolving into a factor that is directly influenced by lifestyle and is ‘hitting’ younger and younger people”.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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