Welcome to the Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation

The only national charity dedicated to research into the prevention of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus

Barrett's Oesophagus (Barrett's) is an abnormal lining of the oesophagus (gullet), which occurs in patients with a long history of heartburn and reflux (acid and bile moving into the gullet). In a minority of people, Barrett's Oesophagus may progress through a series of stages (dysplasia) to cancer.

The Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation was established in 1999 as a National Charity with the principal aims of:

securing the long term future of The UK National Barrett's Oesophagus Registry (UKBOR)
establishing a patient support group for Barrett's sufferers and their families
funding research projects into the causes, prevention and treatment of Barrett's Oesophagus and oesophageal cancer.

The need for this Charity has arisen because of the recent dramatic increase in the number of new cases (incidence) of a type of cancer of the oesophagus (gullet) called oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Whereas the incidence of stomach cancer has been declining worldwide, the incidence of the Barrett's associated cancer has been increasing at a faster rate than almost any other cancer in the Western world.

A study from Sweden (1999) documented for the first time that there is a significantly increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among sufferers from heartburn. An intermediate stage in the process from heartburn to cancer is the development of Barrett's.

Since the presence of Barrett's Oesophagus can be easily detected during an endoscopy (camera examination), there is an opportunity to prevent cancer from developing. However, in order to give effective treatment we need to know more about Barrett's and the factors influencing the progression to cancer. It is also important to increase public awareness of the condition and the significance of the common symptom of heartburn.

The established cancer research charities are predominantly involved with research into the treatment of cancer of the oesophagus once it has been developed. However, we are involved specifically in research into prevention of Barrett's related cancer. Prevention is a vitally important area because once cancer has developed it is much more difficult to provide curative treatment; however, we are the only Charity committed to research into the prevention of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

Welcome to the Barrett's Oesophagus Foundation

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