Testing a simple screening tool for esophageal precancer in veterans

This trial is testing whether a simple, non-invasive screening tool called Esocheck can detect Barrett's esophagus — a precancerous condition of the esophagus — in veterans who have multiple risk factors for esophageal cancer but have never experienced chronic heartburn. If the screening tool finds warning signs, participants will then receive a standard endoscopy (a camera test) to confirm the findings. The goal is to catch esophageal cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Esophageal cancer is often found very late, when survival rates are poor. Current screening guidelines miss many high-risk people who don't have heartburn. This trial exists to see if a simpler screening method can catch precancerous changes in veterans before cancer develops — especially in those without typical heartburn symptoms.