”Electronic nose” sniffs out diseases that may lead to cancer People with Barrett’s esophagus disease are at higher risk of developing esophageal cancer and need to be checked regularly for signs of cancer. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when acid reflux causes burns and cellular changes in the esophagus, which are known as pre-cancerous. If left untreated, they can become cancerous. barrett’s esophagus usually occurs in people with GERD. Barrett’s esophagus can be diagnosed with an endoscopy (in which a camera takes pictures of the esophagus and stomach). However, many people with esophageal cancer who have never been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus before are diagnosed with advanced cancer, which means they have a lower chance of survival. Researchers in the Netherlands conducted a test in which sensors in an “electronic nose” identified chemicals in the breath (called volatile organic compounds) and then entered the results into a computer. have esophageal disease. This is a new screening test to help diagnose Barrett’s esophagus early, but further studies are needed to validate these findings. The study is currently routinely testing breath tests on a large scale, recruiting people with symptoms of GERD, and these studies may tell us whether the test has the potential to screen in a broader population or whether it may incorrectly identify too many people as potentially having Barrett’s esophagus. These people may benefit from surveillance, so that if esophageal cancer develops, it can be detected early. It is best to see your doctor if you have: difficulty swallowing, heartburn that lasts 3 weeks or longer, any other unusual or persistent symptoms. Most of these symptoms may not be caused by cancer, however, further testing is recommended as a precaution.