Hi, Ive been diagnosed with 1cm Barrett's. I've searched online and asked doctors these questions but got no real answers
These are: I've been told there's a 1% annual risk of cancer. A 5% risk of developing dysplasia. Are these figures accurate and do they increase over time? Therefore if I don't get cancer one year my risk is increased the following year.
What are theses percentages based on ? Luck? Average patient numbers? I can't find anything where it tells me how I can reduce my risk other than changing diet. My PPIs don't work if I'm stressed and I feel the burning the whole day. Does this mean I have an increased risk or am making Barrett's "worse"?
I'd be happy to find answers to these questions and anything else which may lead to an improvement
Hi mattengl,,, I to have Barretts ,,on ppi,s which don't always work ,but in answer to your questions I have no idea myself.I have looked online and all I see is there is a very very small risk of getting cancer,,on many websites it says most people with Barretts don't get cancer ,,question is though do we believe it ? Or is luck of the draw ,,who does or doesn't have the ticking time bomb .I am not happy with the whole approach of how doctors explain and deal with Barretts oesophagus. Good luck with finding the answers ,,please repost if you find some good info ...
Oh do so agree with your reply, my Barretts is 2cm, due for my 2 year follow up around August. Have just spent a few days in hospital, burning sensation at bottom of rib cage and in the middle, with extreme pain in the stomach. Also had indigestiontype of pain in the osophicus With no answers from tests doneDue to diverticulitus disease and IBS it's hard to work out what's going' on. My doctor was good but said they do not always have the answers. It's scary as you live with the thought of cancer. Having had it once do not want to get it again. But have read the bit that low percentage of people get it. So fingers crossed for all with this.
Its a scary thought what Barretts can lead to .but as you say fingers crossed we all go on ok ,good luck with your next scope
I haven't really thought about the risk of cancer as I have been told that there is a small risk and that's why we have for me at least has an endoscopy every two years. I don't know where they get their statistics. When I have problems I just phone my GP and ask to speak to them. I am very lucky that I have good GPs. Don't know if this helps.