Whether you call it acid reflux or heartburn, doctors warn that the condition could cause a surge in cancer cases in the US.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, leading to a ‘burning’ feeling in the chest and throat, a hoarse voice or hiccups.
About 3 million Americans are diagnosed with reflux, but research suggests that more than 80 million people deal with symptoms on a regular basis and never consult a doctor about them.
That worries experts like Dr. Daniela Molena, an oncologist in New York, because about one in 20 people with heartburn suffer damage related to cancer.
Heartburn affects 60 million Americans every month, but gastroenterologists warned it could develop into the precancerous condition Barrett’s esophagus (stock image)
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In these patients, the constant flow of stomach enzymes into the throat irritates the cells in the esophagus.
Medically known as Barrett’s esophagus, this irritation can lead to mutations that lead to tumor formation.
Dr. Daniela Molena, director of the Esophageal Surgery Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, said in a hospital blog post: ‘Barrett is a defense mechanism of your esophagus.’
‘When the esophagus is constantly bathed in acid, it wants to protect itself, so the cells in the lining begin to change.
‘These changes can develop into cancer.’
Acid reflux has also been linked to laryngeal cancer, a form of throat cancer that affects approximately 13,000 Americans and kills 4,000 people annually.
Experts have noted that modern diets may be contributing to reflux becoming more common, as foods such as citrus fruits, high-fat foods and fast foods can lead to excessive amounts of stomach acid, which over time damages the esophageal lining.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 22,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will occur in the U.S. this year, along with 16,000 deaths.
Only one in five patients is expected to survive for five years, and that number could drop to one in 20 if the cancer is discovered at a later stage.
The condition has also seen an alarming increase in recent years. In 2022, a study found that the rate of esophageal cancer among Florida adults ages 45 to 64 doubled between 2012 and 2017.
Additionally, cases of Barrett’s esophagus saw a 50 percent increase between 2012 and 2019.
Experts have suggested that the increase could be due to rising obesity rates in America, as four in 10 American adults are considered obese. The extra fat is believed to squeeze the stomach, leading to excess acid and an increased risk of heartburn.
Dr. Mimi Canto, director of endoscopy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said in a hospital blog post that although most patients with Barrett’s esophagus will not develop esophageal cancer, “given how deadly this cancer is, it is a condition that requires attention and treatment.”
‘It is not normal to suffer from heartburn every day. Diagnosing Barrett’s esophagus and treating it before it can develop is a scientifically proven way to prevent cancer.”
Barrett’s esophagus is diagnosed with an endoscopy and biopsies. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering, patients with pre-cancerous conditions should have an endoscopy every three to five years to check for cancer.
It is usually treated with antacids and dietary changes.