Answer to Thanksgiving Tummy Trouble isn't Obvious

Baltimore MD

23 November, 2020

3:45 PM

Description

Think Antacids can take care of your Tummy Troubles this Thanksgiving? Think again. CONTACT: Mindy Mintz Mordecai [email protected] BALTIMORE −Thanksgiving week is also GERD Awareness Week. The heartburn caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (commonly referred to as GERD) can make those who indulge in a big holiday feast less than thankful. Many Americans will find a solution to their symptoms in over-the-counter heartburn remedies. But that temporary fix may not be all that is needed if you have symptoms of reflux disease on a regular basis. That is because GERD can lead to cancer. That’s why the national non-profit advocacy organization, ECAN (Esophageal Cancer Action Network) wants you to get informed this GERD Awareness Week. And ECAN wants you to know that heartburn isn’t the only symptom of GERD. You may have GERD if you experience: Persistent Cough,Continuing Hoarse Voice,Frequent Sore Throat, andChoking when you Lie Down And if you have heartburn that goes away without explanation or have a family history of Esophageal Cancer or Barrett's Esophagus, you may be at increased risk for developing Esophageal Cancer. Reflux disease can lead to a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett's Esophagus which, if left untreated, can become Esophageal Cancer. It is estimated more than a million Americans are unaware that they have Barrett’s Esophagus because the condition causes no symptoms and can only be detected through examination of the esophagus. That's why ECAN is raising awareness about the connection between GERD and Esophageal Cancer during this Thanksgiving holiday week – and making it easy for others to raise awareness, too. ECAN makes it easy for you to share a life-saving message with graphics to post on social media and easy-to-share videos, including one from the son of a Hollywood legend. The video features Stephen Bogart, son of film icon Humphrey Bogart, who lost his life to Esophageal Cancer. That video the rest of the GERD Awareness materials can be easily accessed at ecan.org/GERD-Awareness-Week. To find out more about the link between heartburn and cancer, go to ECAN’s free downloadable Guide for Patients at ecan.org/download-the-patient-guide. About ECAN ECAN’s mission is to save lives by increasing awareness about the link between heartburn and cancer, promoting early detection, supporting medical innovation to prevent, detect and treat Esophageal Cancer, and linking patients and families to compassionate support. The Baltimore-based national non-profit is led by a board of directors of top physicians, business leaders and families that have been touched by Esophageal Cancer. Through ECAN’s efforts, April has been formally designated as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. ECAN’s advocacy led to the inclusion of Esophageal Cancer in the multi-million-dollar United States Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program for the first time in 2020. ECAN successfully advocated with the National Cancer Institute to include Esophageal Cancer in its groundbreaking genome mapping project known as The Cancer Genome Atlas. For more information, visit www.ECAN.org. # # #