This common ailment is linked to esophageal cancer, doctor warns

Esophageal cancer is relatively rare, making up only 1% of all cancer diagnoses in the US.

However, it is also one of the most deadly cancers — with a five-year survival rate of only 20%.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Wendi LeBrett recently posted a TikTok video warning everyone of a common ailment that could be unknowingly putting you at risk.

“Acid reflux is the most common cause of esophageal cancer, but one in three people who have acid reflux will have no idea they even have this condition,” she says in the clip.

She goes on to explain that 60% to 70% of people who have acid reflux will have “classic symptoms of heartburn,” — that gurgling feeling in your chest that often occurs after a big meal.

While the occasional bout of heartburn is normal, chronic acid reflux can be an early warning sign of esophageal cancer — specifically adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type in the US.

But, chillingly, LeBrett says 30% to 40% of people have acid reflux without experiencing heartburn — and around half of them will either be asymptomatic or have atypical symptoms.

According to her, the symptoms to be wary of include a chronic cough — typically worse at night when acid reflux is worse — breathing problems, trouble swallowing, chest pain that isn’t related to your heart or lungs and acid damage to your teeth.

“It’s really important to watch out for these atypical symptoms and get evaluated for acid reflux because chronic, untreated acid reflux leads to Barrett’s esophagus, which is an inflammatory condition of your esophagus and the precursor to esophageal cancer.”

Indeed, research has shown that Barrett’s esophagus boosts cancer risk by up to 40 times — yet it often shows no symptoms.

In May, beloved firefighter Steve Dorsey, 56, was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer that spread to his lymph nodes and liver.

His first, “benign” sign was having difficult swallowing.

Esophageal cancer is notoriously tough to treat, but when caught early — before symptoms like difficulty swallowing or weight loss set in — it can dramatically improve survival odds.

If you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, talk to your doctor about an endoscopy today.