If you have one or more of the major risk factors for esophageal cancer — Barrett's esophagus, a skin condition called tylosis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or if you've battled heartburn for years — pay attention to your body. Don't wait for esophageal cancer symptoms to appear, because then it might be too late. If you are at risk for esophageal cancer, talk to your doctor about screening and testing methods that can help protect your health.

Esophageal Cancer Screening: What is It?

Esophageal cancer is pretty rare: Fewer than 17,000 cases were expected to be diagnosed in 2008. There are far more people who have risk factors, and not all are necessarily destined to get esophageal cancer.

Though esophageal cancer screening isn't recommended for the general public, most doctors recommend it for people who have specific risk factors for esophageal cancer: the presence of abnormal, potentially precancerous esophageal cells called Barrett’s esophagus, and those who carry the diagnosis of a genetic condition called tylosis. Gastrointestinal specialists often also recommend screening for those with a history of GERD and heartburn, but the National Cancer Institute does not think there is enough scientific evidence to support this recommendation for people with such conditions.

Endoscopy (examining the esophagus through a lighted tube inserted through the mouth) and biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue during the endoscopy) are the most common screening methods used to check for esophageal cancer. Depending upon your level of risk, people with esophageal cancer risk factors usually have these procedures done at least every two or three years, or maybe as often as once each year. If previous screening tests have found pre-cancerous or abnormal cells, called dysplasia, you will probably need an annual endoscopy or biopsy.

"Unfortunately, aside from the endoscopy, we don't have any other preventive strategies for esophageal cancer," says Len Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer of Cancer Control Science at the American Cancer Society. "We are clearly not at a point where we have any specific recommendations for screening or prevention, aside from the fact that we know that esophageal cancer is related to obesity."

Esophageal Cancer Screening: Who Should Be Tested?

The ACS does not recommend that most people be screened for esophageal cancer, according to Dr. Lichtenfeld. But people with symptoms should talk to their doctor.

"Clearly, if someone has continuing symptoms of reflux, heartburn-type symptoms, they should see their doctor. If they don't respond to medication, then the doctor will probably want to talk to them about getting a scope to look down in that area to see if they have Barrett's esophagus or something more serious," says Lichtenfeld. "Even with Barrett's esophagus, it's not clear now much screening makes a difference. There are some studies showing that in people who have had endoscopies, it still hasn't prevented cancer from occurring at a later time."

Esophageal Cancer Screening: New Tests on the Horizon

There are other screening tests being studied in clinical trials; you and your doctor may want to consider these, based on your risk factors for esophageal cancer. They include variations of a standard endoscopy, using special lights and dyes to better detect cancer cells. Cytology methods, which remove cells without the invasiveness of a biopsy, are also being studied as screening tests for esophageal cancer.

Although these screening tests are still being researched, they may one day be available to the public for routine screening. If you have risk factors for esophageal cancer, continue to undergo currently recommended screening tests but also discuss new developments with your doctor.

If you notice the earliest warning signs of esophageal cancer, such as difficulty swallowing or weight loss when you're not trying to lose weight, see your doctor, especially if you have esophageal cancer risk factors.

Esophageal Cancer Prevention: Get Healthy

It’s important to keep perspective about esophageal cancer: Even for people with the greatest risk factors, esophageal cancer is rare. But you should still take care of yourself, and if necessary, get screened regularly. Being proactive about your health is the best insurance against esophageal cancer.

Screening is an important part of catching esophageal cancer early and improving your prognosis. But screening alone is not enough: Although not all risk factors for esophageal cancer can be controlled, many of them can.

If you suffer from GERD or Barrett's esophagus, or even deal frequently with heartburn, it's important to manage these conditions with diet and medication to get them under control. If you're overweight or your diet is unhealthy, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and lose the extra weight. Screening can help spot esophageal cancer early, but living right can help prevent it.

Learn more in the Everyday Health Esophageal Cancer Center.