April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month

April 1, 2023

This April, help CanCare raise awareness for esophageal cancer awareness month. CanCare is an organization dedicated to finding cancer survivor volunteers who want to provide emotional support to someone living with Cancer or caregivers of cancer patients.

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Who Is Most Likely To Be Diagnosed With Esophageal Cancer?

In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 21,560 new esophageal cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States. Esophageal cancer is more likely to affect people 55 and older and men are more likely to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer than women. A man's lifetime risk is 1 in 125 and a woman’s lifetime risk is 1 in 417.

Ways To Build Esophageal Cancer Awareness

Esophageal Awareness Month purple ribbon held by a doctor

Individuals and organizations can participate in many different ways to build esophageal cancer awareness. Such as:

  • Sharing on social media esophageal cancer awareness month information.
  • Wear purple for esophageal cancer awareness month.
  • Sport an esophageal cancer ribbon!

Get Involved With Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month

Esophageal cancer is both preventable and treatable! The key is early detection and regular screenings for individuals who are at risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Esophageal Cancer Volunteer Opportunities

  • Organize awareness events.
  • Participate in local awareness events.
  • Support research efforts through volunteer opportunities.
  • Become an esophageal emotional support volunteer for individuals with esophageal cancer and their caregivers.

Do want to give hope and strength to someone in the midst of a cancer diagnosis? The CanCare community welcomes you with open arms! As an esophageal cancer volunteer, you will provide hope and support to someone who is experiencing the challenges and emotional struggles that come with an esophageal cancer diagnosis.

Volunteer

If volunteering isn’t for you but you still want to help, you can donate to CanCare and still play a vital role in supporting others through their cancer journey!

Esophageal Cancer Emotional Support


CanCare is all about giving one-on-one emotional support to individuals living with cancer and cancer caregivers. Volunteers are matched with clients by cancer type, treatment method, life stage, age, and gender.

Esophageal Awareness Month  cancer patient and caregiver hugging


As survivors themselves, CanCare volunteers have the unique ability to empathize with and relate to clients currently undergoing treatment.

This gives clients an opportunity to discuss their personal feelings and cancer experiences with someone who can understand their struggles. Our mission at CanCare is to ensure that anyone facing cancer has a survivor by their side.

We also have our cancer support group that meets online.

Are you a caregiver of someone diagnosed with esophageal cancer? If so, then you are also on a cancer journey and CanCare has support available for you too. We have volunteer caregivers who provide one-on-one support or you can join other caregivers in our cancer caregivers support groups.

Caregiver Support

Esophageal Cancer Stories

Esophageal Awareness Month  2 people holding hands

There are many esophageal cancer stories out there, and all of them are unique. From the diagnosis and treatment to life as an esophageal cancer survivor, everyone’s journey is different. At CanCare, we share esophageal cancer survivor stories and volunteer testimonials to spread hope and strength.

Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month FAQs:

When Is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month?

April is the esophageal cancer awareness month. Esophageal cancer is a growing concern across the Untied States, join CanCare in spreading wareness this April!

What Color Is Esophageal Cancer Ribbon?

Light purple or lavendar is the color of the esophageal cancer ribbon. Wear a ribbon and join CanCare in support esophageal cancer awareness month this April.

What Is Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer happens when malignant cancer cells form in the esophagus, the long muscular tube that moves food down your throat to your stomach. These cancer cells can start to form for many reasons.

What Causes Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer beings when cells in the esophagus develop mutations. Some of the causes of esophageal cancer are:

  • Tobacco and alcohol usage.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Barrett’s esophagus
  • Obesity
  • Diet
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Achalasia
  • Tylosis
  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome
  • Injury to the esophagus
  • History of certain other cancers
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Do I Have Esophageal Cancer?

Trouble swallowing is the earliest sign of esophageal cancer. If you have any concerns, it is important for you to speak with a doctor.