Barrett's Oesophagus

[chrisrob]

I am interested to know

1) how well understood the term oesophagus is?

2) how many people have heard of Barrett's Oesophagus?

(Answers please before googling it.)

My interest comes from working for a charity attempting to raise awareness in an attempt to stop the fastest growing cancer (rate of incidence) in the western world.

[sqad617]

1)...Used to be, perhaps 25yrs ago, just a radiological diagnosis seen on Ba.swallow. Some time later it was then to be seen that it was indeed a clinical entity. Then, when endoscopy came into play, the lower part of the oesophagus was seen to be abnormal and this was confirmed by biopsy.
It was argued that acid was regurgitating backwards through the valve causing this change.

Barretts oesophagus in itself is not pre-maignant, but in the last decade it has been seen that some cancers can occur in this region.

2) I would bet that nobody outside of the medical establishment has heard of this condition, except those who have it or have heard of soneone who has it.

[ethandron]

i've heard of barretts, am not a medical professional, don't have it myself and don't know anyone who has it.
i also understand the term oesophagus.

[chrisrob]

Thanks Sqad and Ethandron.

Barrett's is designated a pre-cancerous condition inasmuch as dysplasic changes to the epithelium can develop into adenocarcinoma of the gullet in 10% of cases.
It is estimated 375,000 people in the UK have the condition although 80% of them don't know. 30,000 of them can be expected to die within 5 years.
Whereas rate of new incidences of other cancers have declined, oesophageal adenocarcinoma has increased. It is now the 5th most common cancer and the UK has the worst figures.

40% of people get heartburn and consider it as a fact of life. Indeed, TV adverts of firefighters or singing female traffic cops give the impression it's as simple as using a liquid or tablet.

BUT heartburn isn't natural and if you have it frequently or over a period of time, you should seek medical advice.

The Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign wants to get its awareness message across. Any ideas welcome.

[sqad617]

chrisrob ...your answer is an excellent assessment of the condition.

Indeed carcinoma of the oesophagus is rising over the past decade.

So as not to frighten people, only 1in 100 who indeed have Barrett's develop adeno-carcinoma.

Nice thread chris.

[crazycathy2]

I've heard of it ,as I was born with an oesophagial astreia and you learn about other similar conditions

[chrisrob]

Hi crazycathy, EA or TOF or both?
Apart from the op you must have had, are there any long term effects?

[crazycathy2]

Both

I've had loads of ops but not recently.

Still have alot of trouble eating certain things just can't swallow them as for white bread no no no.

Have a really small appetite and am quite small - oh and I'm like a patchwork quilt!!!!

It didn't stop me from back packing half way round the world or having 2 children though the consultant was all for giving me a section but I resisted.

Still have the famous TOF bark which gets people worried. A consultant I was seeing suggested I had botox in my throat to stop it closing up so much but not keen.

Do you have a TOF child?

When I was born it was quite rare adn mum said her health visitor had never heard of it and the GP didn't know what to do but now it's quite widely known.

[chrisrob]

Hi Cathy,
I don't have your condition and know no-one who has. (I don't have any children.)
My interest in digestive disorders comes from having Barrett's myself.
My prolonged reflux disorder also caused a chronic cough which was the most worrying symptom for those outside my body.
I have now had an anti-reflux operation and, although it won't have cured my Barrett's, has definitely improved my quality of life.
I went backpacking in Asia a few years back but more recently would have been unable to due to anaemia as a side effect of medication induced hypochlorhydria.
Like you I still have some peristalsis problems and white bread and chicken breast are the worst for "getting stuck" - painfully.
All the best,
Chris

[crazycathy2]

I had an operation for reflux when I was about 6 weeks old as I kept projectile vommiting and my lungs kept collapsing. I think it was a Nissan??? They wrapped something around my stomach muscle?? The jpoy is I can never be sick not always good if you feel ill or eat something dodgey.

I've had it repaired about 3 times since - think the fact they did it when I was so small and I only weighed 3lbs 30zs at birth- made it difficult to do.

Good luck with your research and hope you overcome your health problems.