 [ Symptoms ] how will it be determined who receives a tax credit to help with the cost of health insurance  will tax returns be required during enrollment [ Disease ] the simple answer to this question is that at this time short of surgically removing the esophagus there is no guaranteed treatment to prevent esophageal cancer in barrett is esophagus but we do have treatments that are helpful and the risk of developing cancer is very low barrett is esophagus occurs when a different cell type replaces the normal cells lining the lower esophagus usually this is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus gastroesphageal reflux disease gerd twenty percent or more of adults have chronic gerd and of these 10 to 15 will have barrett is esophagus if you have gerd it is important to know if you also have barrett is esophagus that is because barrett is esophagus can later turn into pre cancer or cancer of the esophagus adults with chronic severe reflux have over a 50 chance of having barrett is esophagus the good news however is that recent studies show that the risk of developing cancer from barrett is is low every year only 0 12  of the patients with barrett is or about one in 860 people develop esophageal cancer barrett is is diagnosed by an upper endoscopy during an upper endoscopy a doctor puts a tube into your mouth and down into your esophagus and takes samples an endoscopy is recommended for patients with barrett is and no dysplasia every 3 to 5 years the majority of patients with barrett is have no evidence of dysplasia this means that although the cells lining the esophagus have changed to a different cell type they are still healthy a small proportion of people will have dysplasia or cancer for the majority of patients with barrett is and no evidence of dysplasia the recommended treatment is the use of proton pump inhibitors ppis some examples of these drugs are available over the counter omeprazole prilosec lansoprazole prevacid and pantoprazole protonix but the doses recommended for barrett is are prescription strength and often given twice daily treatment does not usually cure barrett is but it keeps it from getting worse ppis have not been proven to prevent esophageal cancer in barrett is other treatments for barrett is include general recommendations for gerd such as avoid alcohol fatty foods caffeine drinks and other foods or beverages that can make gerd worse do not eat a large meal before bed raise the head of the bed when you sleep there are other treatments such as radiofrequency ablation of the esophagus or anti reflux surgery that have been used in some patients with barrett is and no dysplasia but this is not generally recommended some studies have suggested that aspirin and other similar drugs like ibuprofen advil might reduce the risk of esophageal cancer but this is not currently recommended if you have barrett is talk to your doctor about your symptoms and concerns your doctor will be able to help you weigh your risk of developing dysplasia or cancer and help you design the best strategy