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Firefighters, who have a 62% higher risk of getting esophageal cancer than the general population, were part of an early detection testing group.
FREDERICK, Md. — Firefighters in Frederick County, Maryland were offered testing Monday for early signs of esophageal cancer using a new medical device that can be swallowed like a large pill and then recovered from the stomach using an attached tube.
The capsule contains a small balloon that is inflated through the tube by a technician as the device is withdrawn from the stomach. Cells captured on the balloon's surface can then be laboratory screened to see if there is any sign of esophageal cancer.
"It was mildly invasive, but to find out if I would need to receive treatment early, that mild inconvenience was nothing compared to what I could face," said Frederick County Fire/Rescue Chief Tom Coe, after taking the test.
The capsule is provided by Lucid Diagnostics, which developed the device.
Firefighters have a 14% enhanced risk of numerous cancers due to exposure to toxic smoke and other hazardous substances, according to Frederick County Fire/Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Mullendore. The risk of esophageal cancer in firefighters is 62% higher than the general population, Mullendore said.
Frederick County also offers a separate blood test for firefighters that can detect 11 other types of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, men over age 55 are more likely to get esophageal cancer than women and younger people. Tobacco and alcohol use increase the risk.
Chronic reflux and heartburn leading to a condition called Barretts Esophagus are also significant risk factors.
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