What is EC?
EC (or, OC) stands for esophageal cancer, (oesophageal cancer in the UK). The esophagus is the tube between the throat and the stomach through which food passes.
There are two kinds of cancer which can affect this tube. One is squamus cell, which tends to occur more toward the top, and is associated with smoking/alcohol.
The other is adenocarcinoma, often occurring right at, or fairly near, the junction of the esophagus and stomach, and is associated with years of chronic
heartburn or acid reflux. Both can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, depending on the location of the cancer, and the extent to which it has spread.
It is one of the more deadly forms of cancer, and is also one of the least known. It used to be considered very rare, but unfortunately, it is growing
faster than any other cancer, in terms of the numbers of people it attacks. If you or someone you know has trouble with heartburn, or with swallowing
food, it should be checked out as soon as possible with a doctor. Also, if you used to suffer from heartburn or reflux, but no longer do, this is an indication of pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus. and you need to be scoped immediately.
There is a wealth of information on this terrible disease at Cathy's EC Café...
Cathy's EC Café
...and there you will also find the most knowledgeable, supportive and loving group of fighters you could ever hope to meet.
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