Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month Is April
- Richard Dawson died after a short battle with esophageal cancer in 2012. It’s been almost ten years since his passing, so SurvivorNet wanted to remember the iconic TV personality during esophageal cancer awareness month.
- Dawson was the original host of the long-running game show Family Feud. He also had a leading role in the popular sitcom Hogan’s Heroes.
- Esophageal cancer can be treated if caught early. The common symptoms like difficulty swallowing, weight loss and heartburn can often mimic other diseases, so it's important to bring any changes to your body up with your doctor.
Dawson was born as Colin Lionel Emm in 1932. He would later change his name as his career unfolded, beginning as a stand-up comedian in London. But Dawson’s fame in America came when he accepted his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the popular sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. His fame only grew when he served as the original host for the long-running game show Family Feud.
Read More"He was loved by millions of Americans as a television icon, but loved even more as a husband, a father and grandfather by his family," Gary said of his father.
Sadly, the 79-year-old TV star died almost 10 years ago on June 2, 2012, after a short battle with esophageal cancer. He was diagnosed just three weeks before his death.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer," Gary said in a social media post. "He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered."
Understanding Esophageal Cancer
The esophagus is a tube that goes from the throat to the stomach and plays an important role in your digestive system. When cancerous cells form inside the tissues of this organ, you have esophageal cancer. Overall, this cancer is rare, often difficult to diagnose and more common in American men. Risk factors for esophageal cancer include smoking, alcohol consumption, acid reflux disease and obesity. We don’t know what led to Dawson’s cancer, but it’s been reported that he was a chain smoker for a number of years which would’ve put him at a higher risk.
Some people confuse esophageal cancer with throat cancer, but they are, in fact, different. The cause of most esophageal cancers is unknown though some risk factors like tobacco use can increase the likelihood of developing this cancer but human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus also known as HPV, is a known cause of throat cancer. Treatment options for esophageal cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Treatment Options for Esophageal Cancer
In a previous conversation about treating esophageal cancer, Dr. Raja Flores, chair of thoracic surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told SurvivorNet the disease is often diagnosed in the later stages meaning it has already spread to distant parts of the body.
"Of [all the cases diagnosed in the U.S. per year], only about 1,000 get surgery, because the majority of them are identified at such a late stage," he said.
Dr. Brendon Stiles, chief of thoracic surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, previously shared his expertise on this disease with SurvivorNet.
"We know that esophageal cancer is a tough one, it's one of the cancers with one of the lowest cure rates out there," he said. "But like many cancers, if we find it early, we can often treat it effectively. Either with surgery, or surgery and chemotherapy surgery, chemotherapy and radiation sometimes. My message to patients is the same as it is for most cancers, try to get diagnosed early."
Esophageal Cancer: Signs to Look Out For
But why is it often diagnosed so late? One reason could be that its symptoms weight loss, difficulty swallowing and heartburn often mimic that of other diseases, according to Dr. Stiles. Things like heartburn are generally not cause for any serious concern, but it's important to communicate any issues with your doctor. The more proactive you are about your health, the more likely you are to have an early diagnosis if something serious were to arise.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.