Contact:
Angie Cecil, Porter Novelli, 202-973-3619
[email protected]
Anne-Louise Oliphant, ACG, 703-820-7400
[email protected]
Consumers Raise Concerns about Possible Link Between Chronic Heartburn and Esophageal Cancer
Washington, DC, March 23, 1999 -- The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) has commissioned a flash poll of gastroenterologists and found a marked increase in patients calling their doctors to inquire about the possible links between heartburn and cancer. ACG also noticed an increase in people visiting their Web site looking for heartburn-related information.
The poll, which was inspired by last Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine article entitled "Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux as a Risk Factor for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma," surveyed 100 ACG gastroenterologists last weekend. The article is leading many Americans to take another look at their heartburn symptoms, as evidenced by the immediate increase in the number of people requesting information about heartburn from ACG's Web site in response to this important scientific development.
This nationwide survey of 100 ACG physicians revealed the following: in the first two days since the study was reported (March 18-19), one out of every 4 doctors reported a marked increase in inquiries from patients related to heartburn. The vast majority of those patients (83 percent) were inquiring about their risk for cancer. According to the physicians, approximately 85 percent of the patients were mildly to extremely concerned to learn of the article's findings that patients with recurrent heartburn have a significantly higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Since these results relate to consumers who already have a gastroenterologist and are currently being treated, the College believes this is just the tip of the iceberg. An even greater number of consumers who suffer from chronic heartburn but who have not been under the care of a specialist may be contacting their general practitioner with questions about this study and its implications for their personal health. Chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux involves potential damage to the esophagus from acid which "backs up" from the stomach.
The ACG Web site (www.acg.gi.org) experienced a marked increase in hits and requests for more information. The number of hits increased 73 percent on Thursday, March 18 (compared to the preceding Thursday). Moreover, there was a 383 percent increase in the number of people requesting more information from the College's Web site.
To help educate people about the new reported link between chronic heartburn and esophageal cancer, ACG has prepared a consumer-friendly fact sheet about gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal cancer for doctors to give to their patients. The fact sheet is also available to the public by calling ACG's hotline, 800-HRT-BURN. Key message points for consumers are: * Those who experience heartburn two or more times a week should see their physician; * Doctors generally want chronic heartburn sufferers to have an endoscopy, the best test to identify patients with Barrett's esophagus (a pre-malignant condition) and rule out early cancer; * While gastroesophageal reflux is a chronic disorder, with proper diagnosis, monitoring and medical therapy, most patients with the type of frequent heartburn that increases the risk of esophageal cancer can obtain complete symptom resolution, allowing them to return to normal life and eating habits.
The College underscored the importance of chronic heartburn in developing a guideline published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in November 1995, a revised version of which is currently awaiting publication. Since March 1996, the College has conducted a major, national public education program which highlights the fact that heartburn is not a trivial condition, and urges patients who suffer heartburn symptoms two or more times per week to consult their physician. Information packages are available for physicians, consumers and the media either through a 1-800-HRT-BURN hotline (consumer information) or by contacting the College at 4900 B South 31st Street, Arlington VA 22206 fax: 703-931-4520.
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