• Esophageal cancer is a devastating disease with an 80% 5-year mortality.
• The incidence of esophageal cancer has increased over 600% in the past 25 years, and shows no signs of slowing.
• Patients with Barrett’s esophagus have a risk of developing esophageal cancer similar to the risk of lung cancer in tobacco smokers.
• Barrett’s esophagus develops in the setting of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
• A large number of patients with GERD are never screened for Barrett’s or esophageal cancer, and the cancer is only diagnosed at an advanced stage.

We are faced with a cancer that is reaching epidemic proportions but for which we haven’t implemented cost-effective screening tools.

There are some cost-effective screening tools available, and we would like to offer one of these to a limited number of patients during Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. This screening tool is TransNasal Endoscopy with CdX biopsy.

TransNasal Endoscopy (TNE) is an office-based procedure that does not require sedation. Under local anesthetic a very small endoscope is directed through the nose into the esophagus. The lower esophagus can be inspected for evidence of Barrett’s esophagus or cancer, and a special brush biopsy can be performed to obtain cells for diagnosis. The procedure takes about 10 minutes to perform. TNE is a screening alternative to upper GI endoscopy (EGD) performed under sedation, and TNE is significantly less expensive.

Patients who should consider having screening for Barrett’s and esophageal cancer include those with GERD for more than 5 years, or require daily medication for GERD and are over age 50. Additional risk factors include age, being male, white, obese, or smoking.

We will be offering screening TNEs to a limited number of patients on April 29, 2015, at our office 499 E Hampden Ave #290 Englewood CO 80113. The cost is $75.

Call to arrange and appointment: 303-788-7700.