Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition where the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus. It is estimated that about 20% of the adult population in the United States experiences GERD symptoms at least once a week.

GERD can cause discomfort, heartburn, and damage to the esophagus, and it has been linked to several types of cancer.

What is GERD?

GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the muscular ring that separates the esophagus from the stomach.

When the LES fails to close properly, it allows the stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. This can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause discomfort and other symptoms.

Cancer risk associated with GERD

Several studies have shown a link between GERD and an increased risk of cancer development. The risk of esophageal cancer is particularly high for people with chronic GERD.

In fact, people with GERD have a 7-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer compared to those without GERD.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus. It is estimated that there will be 18,440 new cases of esophageal cancer and 16,170 deaths from the disease in the United States in 2020.

There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is more common in the upper part of the esophagus, while adenocarcinoma is more common in the lower part of the esophagus.

Breast cancer

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that women who had a history of GERD had a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer.

The study followed more than 100,000 female nurses over a 10-year period and found that women with GERD had a 240% increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without GERD.

Lung cancer

One study found that people with GERD had an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

The study followed more than 1,000 patients with GERD and found that those who had the most severe form of the disease had a 4-fold increased risk of developing lung cancer compared to those without GERD. The researchers suggested that the link between GERD and lung cancer may be due to the presence of acid in the lungs, which may damage the lung tissue and increase the risk of cancer development.

Gastric cancer

A study published in the medical journal Gastroenterology found that people with GERD had an increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

The study followed more than 7,000 patients with GERD over a 12-year period and found that those with the most severe form of the disease had a 7-fold increased risk of developing gastric cancer compared to those without GERD. The researchers suggested that the link between GERD and gastric cancer may be due to the presence of acid in the stomach, which may damage the stomach lining and increase the risk of cancer development.

Pancreatic cancer

Several studies have suggested that people with GERD have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. One study found that people with GERD had a 2-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those without GERD.

The researchers suggested that the link between GERD and pancreatic cancer may be due to inflammation in the pancreas caused by acid reflux.

Conclusion

GERD is a common digestive disorder that affects millions of people in the United States. While most people experience only mild symptoms, some people may be at increased risk of developing cancer as a result of their GERD.

If you have chronic GERD or are experiencing symptoms of the disease, it is important to speak to your doctor about your risk of cancer development. Early detection is key in the prevention and treatment of cancer.