Hi has anybody ever had Halo/ RFA who has had barretts without dyspasia. I am willing to pay for this! The reason is because of my family history. My mother has esophrageal cancer, my grandmother ( her mother) also died from it. The uncertainty of it, is making me very depressed. If anybody has had this, please can you advise where you went to and how much. I live in worcester but am willing to travel and pay!!
thank you for your help
Hi Clare
Sorry to hear about your mum so of course you must be worried. I don't know whether you are in the UK but they only use Halo here for LGD and HGD Barretts so a few stages further on then what you have at present. Now, whether they would do this for you if you paid for it (it would be quite expensive) i wouldn't know.
Your best bet would be to see your GP and asked to be referred to a Gastroentologist who would be able to advice you of this.
There are treatment centres all around the country so I would imagine that there would be one near you.
Just to put your mind at rest there is a very very low incidence of it turning into a cancer and there are a lot of stages to go through first where they would then do the Halo for you to stop it progressing any further. You will be monitored every two to three years now so they will keep a very strict eye on you.
Let us know how you get on as it would be interesting to find out but I emphasise again you do not need to panic but of course I can understand your thinking because of your history.
Good luck
In addition these procedures are not without risk and no guarantee that the barratt's won't come back. My Dad died of OC but i have non dysplasia and because of family history they will scope me 2 years after my last scope. I think over worrying can also make the condition worse.
That's the best way to look at it Andy - i think we are all scared when we first find out we have it but when you do the research and get it into perspective then it is not such the scary thing we thought at first. There are many people walking around who do not know they have it but at least we are being kept an eye on.
Hi Clare you are very obviously worried but I think the advice would be to ask for a referral to a gastroentereologist and if there is a long waiting time perhaps to think about going privately. I have heard of Halo/RFA but I am not sure what it actually achieves. There might be other alternatives you could consider. I would start with a GP who you feel happy with and take it from there
Thank you everyone for your comments. I am trying hard to take it in my stride. I've got an appointment with my consultant in 2 weeks time, and one of the things I will be asking for, is more regular endoscopes. He's only put me down for one every 3 years at present. I'm also interested in having my hernia repaired. Thanks for your help xx