The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a Rhode Island based nonprofit charity, started a petition on Change.org directed to President Barack Obama to have April designated as “National Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month.” To view the online petition, click here.
The State of Rhode Island is doing its part to help spread the word about this devastating disease. It again recognized April as “Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month” on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. This resolution was obtained through the efforts of The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation and Representative Patricia Serpa (D – Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, and Warwick).
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President of the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, Linda Molfesi, stated: “In order to really make a difference, this horrifying and lethal diagnosis deserves national attention.” “Esophageal cancer is too often ignored.”
This may attribute to the fact that esophageal cancer adenocarcinoma (EAC) has increased over 600% in the past decades, making it the fastest growing cancer in the United States. Many do not realize that among other risk factors, obesity, chronic heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and smoking can lead to esophageal damage and cancer.
Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer research receives very little private or government funding. In fact, the National Cancer Institute decreased its investment of research of esophageal cancer by 15% in 2012; esophageal cancer research receives a mere $28.0 million out of NCI’s total $5.07 billion budget; that’s approximately half of one percent.
However, approximately $1.3 billion dollars is spent on esophageal cancer treatment each year in the U.S. While it is currently only the 18th most common cancer, Stage IV EAC only has a 3% survival rate. Esophageal cancer shows low survival rates even in its early stages: 21%-39%. Symptoms often arise too late, once the cancer has spread and becomes difficult, if not impossible, to treat; thus making esophageal adenocarcinoma a highly lethal cancer. In 2013, there were an estimated 17,990 new diagnoses of esophageal cancer and 15,210 deaths in the U.S.
A tremendous amount of supporters have already signed the petition and many have left comments stating why this proclamation is important to them. View online petition here.
“Reading the comments reinforces our commitment to our missions and our hopes that through these efforts, April will be named Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month throughout the United States” Molfesi stated.
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The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation: Established in Rhode Island on November 21, 2011, in order to raise awareness, encourage early detection and support research in hopes of a cure for esophageal cancer. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, visit: www.salgi.org
