ECAN sends deepest condolences to the entire Ravens family. Esophageal Cancer sadly steals far too many lives - especially of American men. It is the fastest increasing cancer diagnosis among American men today. It is why the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN - www.ecan.org) works tirelessly to inform the public that reflux disease can cause cancer. Sadly, this is a disease that produces few recognizable symptoms until it is too late. That's why we beg those of you with persistent heartburn, or heartburn that has gone away for no apparent reason (this can be a bad sign), sore throat, cough, hoarse voice, choking upon lying down - even hiccups - to see your doctor about a scope to check your esophagus. If caught at early stages - or even treatable pre-cancerous stages - this disease is survivable and preventable. But for most patients it is not caught early enough. Esophageal Cancer will kill four out of five patients who receive this diagnosis - mostly because their cases are caught too late. ECAN sends condolences to all who mourn the loss of Coach Brooks, called "the sweetest man in football." Since we are based in Baltimore and count many Ravens fans among our supporters (including me), we have our own personal sadness about this tragedy. Esophageal Cancer took the life of my favorite Ravens fan, my husband Monte Mordecai. His death, like that of so many American men, could likely have been prevented with early detection. Show your loved ones how much their lives mean to you by making sure that if they suffer with persistent reflux, they get checked.
