I am worried I have cancer....

[Bretsky44]

Hi. I am a 48 year old woman who was diagnosed with GERD two or three years ago via endoscopy.  I was placed on Aciphex.  I have not been good about following directions for acid reflux (I am a heavy coffee drinker and beer drinker) and have not religiously taken the medication.  About a month ago I begin having the lump in my throat back (that's what made me go to doc in first place) and difficulty swallowing.  I have began taking the medication again and have stopped all caffeine and alcohol as well as carbonated drinks.  I am worried that I am too late and that I have that Barrets or have esophogus cancer.  I have no other symptoms really - havent had an incidence of heartburn in a long time until a few days ago.  I plan on making an appt. with doc next week.  My mom died of uterine cancer so I am very psycho about cancer.  Should I be worried?  Thank you.

[Londres70]

I would recommend you get rescoped/another Upper GI Endoscopy done.  

I wouldn't be freaking out, but a bit concerned.  

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I am glad to see that you are now taking the medication and cutting down on coffee and beer - that is a good start in managing your condition.  It is unlikely that you should get Barrets and esopheagal cancer if you keep your GERD under control.  Barrets and thus cancer normally develops if you don't take medication and continue with bad eating and drinking habbits.  The lump in your throat and difficulty in swallowing are signs of uncontrolled GERD - alarms symptoms.

If you feel that even with the medication you still have alarms symptoms, you should then go for a follow-up Endoscope just to make sure that you do not develop Barrets.

When you had the scope 3 years ago, did they mention anything about having a Hiatal Hernia or a LES dysfunction?