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ASGE launches heartburn awareness campaign to preempt esophageal cancer
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WASHINGTON — In this exclusive video perspective from Digestive Disease Week 2018, Karen L. Woods, MD, president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, announces a public service campaign the society launched in conjunction with CDx Diagnostics to inform the public about the link between chronic heartburn and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
“This is a public service campaign designed to increase awareness of heartburn [which] is a common clinical problem,” Woods told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease. “Untreated, it can lead to an increased risk of Barrett’s esophagus and its attendant increased risk in esophageal adenocarcinoma. We’re launching this public service announcement to increase awareness to the public as well as primary care physicians about the importance of addressing heartburn.”
According to Woods, the public service announcements can be found in airports and train stations around the U.S., including Washington, D.C.
“We’re very excited about this initiative and we hope that it will increase public awareness of the importance of seeing your physician if you have chronic, untreated heartburn,” Woods said.
Disclosure: Woods reports no relevant financial disclosures.