Barrett's Esophagus Explained | Diagnosis, Testing & Cancer Risk (Part 2)
The Gastro Girl Podcast
05/29/26
•33m
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What exactly is Barrett's esophagus—and how do doctors determine who may be at higher risk?
In Part 2 of this 4-part patient education series, leading gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist Raman Muthusamy explains how Barrett's esophagus develops from chronic GERD and how it's diagnosed and evaluated in clinical practice in the United States.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✔️ What Barrett's esophagus is ✔️ How chronic acid reflux can affect the esophagus ✔️ How Barrett's is diagnosed during endoscopy ✔️ How doctors assess risk for progression to cancer ✔️ Why early detection matters ✔️ How GI specialists guide treatment and follow-up care
If you or someone you love experiences long-standing heartburn, reflux, or GERD symptoms, this episode provides trusted, expert-backed information to help you better understand Barrett's esophagus and what comes next.
This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Previous Episode
Why does one IBS-C treatment work for someone else—but not for you?
In this episode of the Gastro Girl podcast, leading gastroenterologist Darren M. Brenner. MD, FACG, of Northwestern Medicine, explains why treating IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) is not one-size-fits-all.
Using a real-world patient scenario, Dr. Brenner breaks down what may actually be happening inside the body—from gut motility and visceral sensitivity to the brain-gut connection—and why different therapies target different symptoms and pathways.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why some IBS-C treatments don't work—or stop working over time
- How over-the-counter and prescription therapies differ
- What newer treatment approaches are designed to do
- Why bloating, pain, and constipation may require different strategies
- The role of diet, pelvic floor therapy, and gut-brain interventions
- How patients can work with their healthcare team to find the right treatment plan
If you've ever felt frustrated, stuck, or unsure about your IBS-C treatment journey, this episode offers practical insights to help you better understand your options and feel more empowered in your care.
This episode is part of an educational program made possible by support from Ardelyx.
Next Episode
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, adding new stool-based and blood-based screening options.
What's changed in the new American Cancer Society screening recommendations • New stool DNA and stool RNA screening tests • The role of blood-based cancer screening tests • Why colonoscopy remains the gold standard • Why a follow-up colonoscopy is still needed after a positive screening test • Screening recommendations for adults ages 45–75 • The rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults and what patients should know
The most important takeaway? Colorectal cancer is highly preventable, and the best screening test is the one that gets completed.
This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.
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