Further Research Urged By Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Acid Reflux / GERD;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 05 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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In response to media reports that a glass of wine 'cuts risk of gullet cancer'taken from two authoritative studies reported in the magazine Gastroenterology 136, issue 3 March 2009:

The newly launched Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign - the only charity dedicated to the prevention of cancer from the condition - welcomes the two studies, one from the USA and the other from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is pressing government to put greater energy into both further research and awareness of this important condition that can lead to cancer if left undetected.

Says Chair of Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign, Dr Paul Salmon:
"With the alarming increase in oesophageal cancer, which is now the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths, it is a travesty that Barrett's Oesophagus is not higher in national prevention strategies when a simple endoscopy can identify the condition and effective treatments can be applied. Once oesophageal cancer has developed it has one of the lowest survival rates.

"We are looking at these studies carefully and drawing comment and expertise from our own Scientific Advisory Committee."

Barrett's Oesophagus is a condition which occurs in patients with a long history of heartburn and acid reflux. People with Barrett's Oesophagus are up to 125 times more likely to develop cancer of the oesophagus than the average person.

Oesophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths in England and Wales and kills over 6,000 people a year. England has some of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe. Over the last 20 years, the rate of new cases in England has gone up by 86% for men and 40% for women, whereas the rate has sharply decreased in other European countries, such as France.

For more information visit http://www.barrettscampaign.org.uk

Notes

1. Spokespeople are available for interview

2. The first study is from California (Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, and University of California), USA. The second study is from Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin, Cork and Newry, Ireland. Dr Liam Murray from the Centre for Public Health, Queen's University, Belfast, and one of the senior authors of this research, is on the Scientific Advisory Committee of Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign.

3. The launch of the newly-named Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign - formerly Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation - took place last Thursday, 26 February 2009 at University College Hospital, London. The launch also marked the inaugural meeting of the London City branch of Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign Support Network. A countrywide network of branches is planned.


Founded as a charity in 1999, the Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign, incorporating the McCord Fund, is the only national charity dedicated to the prevention of cancer from Barrett's Oesophagus and the support of people living with the condition. We aim to:

- provide a support and education service to people who suffer from Barrett's Oesophagus and their relatives and friends
- support research to better understand the condition
- raise awareness to encourage early detection.

Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign