The Medical Journal of Australia cover image

The Medical Journal of Australia

Episode 555: MJA Podcasts 2024 Episode 14: what doctors need to know about gastric and oesophageal cancer

Apr 28, 2024
Dr. Ashraf Tokhi, a general and upper gastrointestinal surgeon, discusses the rising occurrence of gastric and esophageal cancers in Australia. The podcast covers diagnostic challenges faced by GPs, red flag symptoms for referrals, advancements in treatments over the years, and compares cancer care approaches in Australia and the UK.
12:54

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Early referral for endoscopy is vital when red flags are present.
  • Multimodal treatments involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery show promising results.

Deep dives

Prevalence and Concerns Regarding Gastric and Esophageal Cancers

Gastric and esophageal cancers are less common but still of significant concern in Australia. In 2022, there were around 1700 diagnoses of esophageal cancer and 2500 of gastric cancer. Even though not as prevalent as breast or colon cancers, these upper GI cancers affect a notable portion of the population. The vagueness of initial symptoms poses challenges for early detection, making awareness crucial.

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