Suffer from chronic heartburn may be something more to develop cancer of the esophagus, but the risk is minimal, say the researchers.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can increase stomach acid into the esophagus, damaging the lining and heartburn. GERD is therefore considered an important risk factor for cancer of the esophagus.
But cancer of the esophagus remains a rarity. While 15 million Americans have daily symptoms of heartburn, only 16,000 are expected to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year, MSNBC reported on Monday.
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology has shown that the probability of developing cancer of the esophagus heartburn are very rare. Research using a national cancer registry and other public data, found out researchers found that 5920 cases of cancer among white Americans under 80 - with or without gastroesophageal reflux - in 2005.
The study led by Dr. Joel H. Rubenstein, University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, also found that in women 60 years with symptoms of acid reflux per week, developed an average of only four out of 100,000 women each year, cancer of the esophagus .
Men under 50 who suffer from frequent heartburn, also face a low risk of esophageal cancer: Found only one of 100,000 men aged 35 years to develop the disease. Older men face a much higher risk. On the men's 70 years with weekly heartburn years, the rate was 61 percent of 100,000 per year.
Rubenstein said the results show that the detection of cancer of the esophagus is not necessary for most.
"It is controversial whether screening is effective," said Rubenstein, quoted by MSNBC. "We simply have no good evidence that it works."
The test, called endoscopy comprises inserting a small tube with a camera on the esophagus. With a low probability of cancer, the risks of the procedure - including the accidental perforation of the esophagus - probably outweigh the benefits, "said Rubenstein.
Rubenstein believes that screening is a reasonable option for men over 60 who suffer from acid reflux weeks. But concluded that screening should not be done in women, independent of men under 50 years of the symptoms of heartburn.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can increase stomach acid into the esophagus, damaging the lining and heartburn. GERD is therefore considered an important risk factor for cancer of the esophagus.
But cancer of the esophagus remains a rarity. While 15 million Americans have daily symptoms of heartburn, only 16,000 are expected to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year, MSNBC reported on Monday.
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology has shown that the probability of developing cancer of the esophagus heartburn are very rare. Research using a national cancer registry and other public data, found out researchers found that 5920 cases of cancer among white Americans under 80 - with or without gastroesophageal reflux - in 2005.
The study led by Dr. Joel H. Rubenstein, University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, also found that in women 60 years with symptoms of acid reflux per week, developed an average of only four out of 100,000 women each year, cancer of the esophagus .
Men under 50 who suffer from frequent heartburn, also face a low risk of esophageal cancer: Found only one of 100,000 men aged 35 years to develop the disease. Older men face a much higher risk. On the men's 70 years with weekly heartburn years, the rate was 61 percent of 100,000 per year.
Rubenstein said the results show that the detection of cancer of the esophagus is not necessary for most.
"It is controversial whether screening is effective," said Rubenstein, quoted by MSNBC. "We simply have no good evidence that it works."
The test, called endoscopy comprises inserting a small tube with a camera on the esophagus. With a low probability of cancer, the risks of the procedure - including the accidental perforation of the esophagus - probably outweigh the benefits, "said Rubenstein.
Rubenstein believes that screening is a reasonable option for men over 60 who suffer from acid reflux weeks. But concluded that screening should not be done in women, independent of men under 50 years of the symptoms of heartburn.
