Heartburn and cancer: Is the risk real?

One of the main selling points for the manufacturers of prescription antacid drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid is that heartburn can lead to cancer of the esophagus. This is a classic marketing ploy – give the public something to fear, and then supply them with the (expensive) solution.

But how real is the risk? In fact, heartburn or “gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD) is a serious condition in which acids travel up out of the stomach and into the esophagus, the long tube that transfers food from your mouth to your digestive system. Because your esophagus does not have the same protective lining as your stomach does, the acid literally burns holes into it. A type of scar tissue can form, which leads to a condition called “Barrett’s Esophagus.” This abnormal tissue is susceptible to becoming cancerous, and people with this condition have a 30% chance of developing the deadly esophageal cancer within five years after the condition occurs.

Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid do indirectly help prevent esophageal cancer by reducing the production of acid in the stomach. This relieves GERD and other stomach problems like bleeding ulcers, and has proven effective for many people.

What the manufacturers of Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid don’t tell you is that there are other ways – and ultimately better ways – of preventing esophageal cancer. According to once source, cancer of the esophagus has increased by 600% since 1971 (though it remains a relatively rare disease). There is a direct correlation between our eating habits, our increasing waistlines, and the disease.

Obesity greatly increases our risk of GERD and other acid reflux diseases, as does eating and drinking particular foods like fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine. Since more people are obese now than in 1971, and since we consume much more fatty, acidic foods, acid reflux becomes more of a problem and in turn, esophageal cancer rates increase. Great news for the makers of Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid.

But the other thing these companies don’t mention is that their products can also increase the likelihood of breaking a hip for people over 50. This can be a very serious condition in itself – 20% of elderly patients who break a hip die within one year of their accident. Now here again, the risk is not extremely high. But if there were other ways to prevent GERD than Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid, would you not at least consider those options?

The problem is that nobody is talking too loudly about the hip fracture risk, certainly not the pharmaceutical companies. This in itself may be seen as negligence in a court of law. You have a right to understand all the risks involved with any medication you are taking. Drugs like Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid have identified risks for hip fracture, and failing to warn you about those risks could lead to serious complications.

If you or a loved one has broken a hip while taking Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid, call a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury lawyer for a free case review. You may be entitled to a fair and just settlement to cover your medical bills and lost wages, and compensate you for your pain and suffering. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates directly, or fill out the form on this page with the details of your Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid-related hip fracture to start your free legal assessment.