This is the time for everyone to learn about the symptoms of Esophageal Cancer. This type of cancer begins in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach, and helps move food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.
In the last 40 years, instances of Esophageal Cancer have risen 700 percent. A cancer that was once associated with senior men is now appearing in young men at an ever-increasing rate.
Some common symptoms include:
• Heartburn and Reflux
• Hoarseness or chronic cough
• Unexplained weight loss
• Trouble swallowing
• Pain or discomfort in the chest or throat
These symptoms can also be related to less serious conditions such as Barrett’s Disease but are also precursors of Esophageal Cancer. This is why it’s so important to seek medical advice early if these symptoms appear and persist. It’s especially important for young men—who are not seeing doctors on a regular basis to discuss changes in their health—to be checked.
An example of this in a young adult is the case of 25-year-old John Michael Pierce. Pierce began having heartburn and reflux symptoms but friends were experiencing similar symptoms due to their diets, so it didn’t seem out of the ordinary. All the while, Esophageal Cancer was silently growing in him.
Pierce was diagnosed in June 2021, two years after college graduation, when he began having trouble swallowing. At this point the cancer was Stage IV. This came as a complete shock since he was young, worked out daily, and had no family history of cancer. He began chemo treatments at MD Anderson in July and passed away just six months later. After his death, his parents, Jeff and Patti Pierce, along with family and friends, created the John Michael Pierce Foundation to build awareness in young adults about the early signs and symptoms of Esophageal Cancer.
Steve Smith, CEO of SouthPoint Bank, who knew John Michael says, “I’m proud to join in the fight against Esophageal Cancer this month. Our bank is committed to supporting this vital cause, raising awareness and standing with those affected by this disease. We are lighting up the bank in purple to help add awareness to this important cause.”
Esophageal cancer symptoms seem insignificant at the beginning, so most discover it at a late stage, limiting treatment options. This is why the message of symptom awareness and actively monitoring health is so important. Screenings and regular checkups, especially for young men, will help to catch this early.
To learn more about Esophageal Cancer and Pierce’s story, visit jmpfoundation.org.
