Search
Site Search
About CHAM
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Values
Standards of Excellence
CHAM Leadership
In the Community
News
Community Events
Inside CHAM
CHAM Connections
CHAM Mentions
Patient Stories
Bronx Locations
US News & World Report
Health Library
Patient Health Library
Refer a Patient
Find a Doctor
Find a Clinical Trial
SIGN IN TO MYCHART
Ways to Give
Volunteer
Volunteering at CHAM
Why Support Montefiore
Donate
Toggle menu
Specialties & Programs
Pediatric Specialties
Cardiology (Stage-Test)
Gastroenterology Option A
Gastroenterology Option B
View Specialties
Adolescent Medicine (Gynecology, Menstrual disorders, Contraception, Eating disorders, Obesity)
Allergy and Immunology
Anesthesiology
Cardiology (Heart)
Cardiothoracic Surgery (Heart)
Craniofacial Surgery
Critical Care Medicine
Dentistry
Dermatology (Skin Disorders)
Developmental Medicine (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Autism, ADHD, Developmental Delays and Mental Health)
Emergency Medicine
Endocrinology & Diabetes
Fetal Medicine (High Risk OB/GYN)
Gastroenterology and Nutrition (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant)
General Pediatrics (Academic General Pediatrics)
Genetics (Inherited Diseases, Rare Diseases, Genetic Counseling)
Heart
Hematology and Oncology (Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, Bleeding Disorders)
Hepatology (Liver Disease)
Hospital Medicine
Infectious Disease (Vaccines, Complex Infection and Antibiotic Management)
Neonatology (Premature and Sick Newborn Care)
Nephrology (Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant)
Neurology (Seizures, Neuromuscular and Brain Diseases, Muscular Dystrophy, Rhett Syndrome)
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology (Eye and Vision)
Orthopaedics (Bones and Joints)
Otolaryngology (Ears, Nose, Throat)
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry (Therapy for Mental Health Problems, Depression, Psychiatric Diseases)
Radiology,X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT, interventional procedures
Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (Lung and Breathing Problems, Asthma, Sleep Apnea)
Rheumatology (Lupus, Juvenile Arthritis, Childhood Autoimmune Diseases)
Surgery
Urology (Kidney, Ureter and Bladder)
PROGRAMS & CENTERS
View All Programs & Centers >
For Patients & Families
Getting Here
Your Hospital Visit
Neighborhood Services
Visitors
Community Events
Support Services
Paying For Your Visit
FAQs
Find A Doctor
Get Directions
Patient Stories
For Health
Professionals
Refer A Patient
Residency and Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Nursing At CHAM
Grand Rounds
Careers
L.E.A.D. Program
Staff & Alumni Association
Quality & Performance Improvement
CHAM Leadership
Medical Student Education
Clinical Pathways
Research
Child Health Research at CHAM
Improving Child Health Across Disciplines
Clinical Trials
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine
Preventive Intervention Research Center for Child Health (PIRC)
Home
Health Library
Share
Health Library
<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeNci HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Esophageal Cancer Screening (PDQ®): Screening - Patient Information [NCI]</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionFloat" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-nci-header"> <p> <span class="Size1">This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.</span> </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionVendor" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-01"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="ncicdr0000304521-01" id="anchor-ncicdr0000304521-01" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">What Is Screening?</h2> <p>Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.</p> <p>Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. They also study the things we do and the things around us to see if they cause cancer. This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be used, and how often the tests should be done.</p> <p>It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test. Screening tests are given when you have no cancer symptoms.</p> <p>If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionVendor" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-02"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="ncicdr0000304521-02" id="anchor-ncicdr0000304521-02" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">General Information About Esophageal Cancer</h2> <p>Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the esophagus.</p> <p>The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that moves food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is made up of several tissue layers, including mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissue. Esophageal cancer starts in the inside lining of the esophagus and spreads outward through the other layers as it grows.<img data-hw-resource-path="media/medical/nci/cdr0000428446.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/medical/nci/cdr0000428446.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/medical/nci/cdr0000428446.jpg" alt="Gastrointestinal (digestive) system anatomy; drawing shows the esophagus, liver, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine." data-hw-width="460" data-hw-height="300" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><br><span class="Size1">The esophagus and stomach are part of the upper gastrointestinal (digestive) system.</span></p> <p>The two most common types of esophageal cancer are named for the type of cells that become cancerous:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <li>Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the esophagus. This cancer is most often found in the upper and middle part of the esophagus but can occur anywhere along the esophagus. This is also called epidermoid carcinoma.</li> <li>Adenocarcinoma: Cancer begins in glandular cells. Glandular cells in the lining of the esophagus produce and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinomas usually form in the lower part of the esophagus, near the stomach.</li> </ul> <p>Other PDQ summaries containing information related to esophageal cancer include:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <li>Esophageal Cancer Prevention</li> <li>Esophageal Cancer Treatment</li> </ul> <p>Esophageal cancer is found more often in men.</p> <p>Men are about four times more likely than women to develop esophageal cancer. There are more new cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma each year and fewer new cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Although the rates of squamous cell carcinoma are declining overall, they remain much higher in Black men than in White men. The chance of developing esophageal cancer increases with age. White men develop esophageal cancer at higher rates than Black men in all age groups. In comparison, rates are higher in Black women through 69 years and higher in White women aged 70 years and older.</p> <p>Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and Barrett esophagus can affect the risk of developing esophageal cancer. </p> <p>Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor.</p> <p>Risk factors for squamous cell esophageal cancer include: </p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <li>using tobacco</li> <li>drinking a lot of alcohol</li> <li>being malnourished (lacking nutrients and/or calories)</li> <li>having a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection</li> <li>having tylosis</li> <li>having achalasia</li> <li>having swallowed lye (a chemical found in some cleaning fluids)</li> <li>drinking very hot liquids on a regular basis</li> </ul> <p>Risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <li>having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)</li> <li>having Barrett esophagus</li> <li>having a history of using drugs that relax the lower esophageal sphincter (the ring of muscle that opens and closes the opening between the esophagus and the stomach)</li> <li>having excess body weight (overweight)</li> </ul> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionVendor" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-03"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="ncicdr0000304521-03" id="anchor-ncicdr0000304521-03" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Esophageal Cancer Screening</h2> <p>Tests are used to screen for different types of cancer when a person does not have symptoms.</p> <p>Scientists study screening tests to find those with the fewest harms and most benefits. Cancer screening trials also are meant to show whether early detection (finding cancer before it causes symptoms) helps a person live longer or decreases a person's chance of dying from the disease. For some types of cancer, the chance of recovery is better if the disease is found and treated at an early stage. </p> <p>There is no standard or routine screening test for esophageal cancer.</p> <p>Although there are no standard or routine screening tests for esophageal cancer, the following tests are being used or studied to screen for it:</p> <p>Esophagoscopy</p> <p>A procedure to look inside the esophagus to check for abnormal areas. An esophagoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose and down the throat into the esophagus. An esophagoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.<img data-hw-resource-path="media/medical/nci/cdr0000433289.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/medical/nci/cdr0000433289.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/medical/nci/cdr0000433289.jpg" alt="Esophagoscopy; shows endoscope inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus. Inset shows patient on table having an esophagoscopy." data-hw-width="460" data-hw-height="300" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><br><span class="Size1">Esophagoscopy. A thin, lighted tube is inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus to look for abnormal areas.</span></p> <p>Biopsy</p> <p>The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Taking biopsy samples from several different areas in the lining of the lower part of the esophagus may detect early Barrett esophagus. This procedure may be used for patients who have risk factors for Barrett esophagus. </p> <p>Brush cytology </p> <p>A procedure in which cells are brushed from the lining of the esophagus and viewed under a microscope to see if they are abnormal. This may be done during an esophagoscopy. </p> <p>Balloon cytology </p> <p>A procedure in which cells are collected from the lining of the esophagus using a deflated balloon that is swallowed by the patient. The balloon is then inflated and pulled out of the esophagus. Esophageal cells on the balloon are viewed under a microscope to see if they are abnormal. </p> <p>Chromoendoscopy</p> <p>A procedure in which a dye is sprayed onto the lining of the esophagus during esophagoscopy. Increased staining of certain areas of the lining may be a sign of early Barrett esophagus.</p> <p>Fluorescence spectroscopy</p> <p>A procedure that uses a special light to view tissue in the lining of the esophagus. The light probe is passed through an endoscope and shines on the lining of the esophagus. The light given off by the cells lining the esophagus is then measured. Malignant tissue gives off less light than normal tissue. </p> <p>Screening tests for esophageal cancer are being studied in clinical trials.</p> <p>Information about clinical trials supported by NCI can be found on NCI's <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">clinical trials search</span></a> webpage. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found on the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">ClinicalTrials.gov</span></a> website.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionVendor" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-04"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="ncicdr0000304521-04" id="anchor-ncicdr0000304521-04" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Risks of Esophageal Cancer Screening</h2> <p>Screening tests have risks.</p> <p>Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.</p> <p>The risks of esophageal cancer screening tests include: </p> <p>Finding esophageal cancer may not improve health or help a person live longer.</p> <p>Screening may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have advanced esophageal cancer or if it has already spread to other places in your body.</p> <p>Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life-threatening, but if found by a screening test, the cancer may be treated. It is not known if treatment of these cancers will help you live longer than if no treatment were given, and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects.</p> <p>False-negative test results can occur.</p> <p>Screening test results may appear to be normal even though esophageal cancer is present. A person who receives a false-negative test result (one that shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if there are symptoms. </p> <p>False-positive test results can occur.</p> <p>Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests (such as biopsy), which also have risks. </p> <p>Side effects may be caused by the test itself. </p> <p>There are rare but serious side effects that may occur with esophagoscopy and biopsy. These include:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <li>a small hole (puncture) in the esophagus</li> <li>problems with breathing</li> <li>heart attack</li> <li>passage of food, water, stomach acid, or vomit into the airway</li> <li>severe bleeding that may need to be treated in a hospital</li> </ul> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionVendor" id="sec-ncicdr0000304521-05"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="ncicdr0000304521-05" id="anchor-ncicdr0000304521-05" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">About This PDQ Summary</h2> <p> <b>About PDQ</b> </p> <p>Physician Data Query (PDQ) is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer information database. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries come in two versions. The health professional versions have detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions have cancer information that is accurate and up to date and most versions are also available in <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/publicaciones/pdq" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Spanish</span></a>.</p> <p>PDQ is a service of the NCI. The NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the federal government's center of biomedical research. The PDQ summaries are based on an independent review of the medical literature. They are not policy statements of the NCI or the NIH.</p> <p> <b>Purpose of This Summary</b> </p> <p>This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about esophageal cancer screening. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.</p> <p> <b>Reviewers and Updates</b> </p> <p>Editorial Boards write the PDQ cancer information summaries and keep them up to date. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. The date on each summary ("Updated") is the date of the most recent change. </p> <p>The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/editorial-boards/screening-prevention" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">PDQ Screening and Prevention Editorial Board</span></a>. </p> <p> <b>Clinical Trial Information</b> </p> <p>A clinical trial is a study to answer a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than another. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment clinical trials, information is collected about the effects of a new treatment and how well it works. If a clinical trial shows that a new treatment is better than one currently being used, the new treatment may become "standard." Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment. </p> <p>Clinical trials can be found online at <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">NCI's website</span></a>. For more information, call the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/contact/contact-center" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Cancer Information Service</span></a> (CIS), NCI's contact center, at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). </p> <p> <b>Permission to Use This Summary</b> </p> <p>PDQ is a registered trademark. The content of PDQ documents can be used freely as text. It cannot be identified as an NCI PDQ cancer information summary unless the whole summary is shown and it is updated regularly. However, a user would be allowed to write a sentence such as "NCI's PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks in the following way: [include excerpt from the summary]." </p> <p>The best way to cite this PDQ summary is:</p> <p>PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Esophageal Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated <MM/DD/YYYY>. Available at: <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/patient/esophageal-screening-pdq" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">https://www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/patient/esophageal-screening-pdq</span></a>. Accessed <MM/DD/YYYY>. [PMID: 26389194]</p> <p>Images in this summary are used with permission of the author(s), artist, and/or publisher for use in the PDQ summaries only. If you want to use an image from a PDQ summary and you are not using the whole summary, you must get permission from the owner. It cannot be given by the National Cancer Institute. Information about using the images in this summary, along with many other images related to cancer can be found in <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://visualsonline.cancer.gov/" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Visuals Online</span></a>. Visuals Online is a collection of more than 3,000 scientific images. </p> <p> <b>Disclaimer</b> </p> <p>The information in these summaries should not be used to make decisions about insurance reimbursement. More information on insurance coverage is available on Cancer.gov on the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Managing Cancer Care</span></a> page.</p> <p> <b>Contact Us</b> </p> <p>More information about contacting us or receiving help with the Cancer.gov website can be found on our <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/contact" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Contact Us for Help</span></a> page. Questions can also be submitted to Cancer.gov through the website's <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.cancer.gov/contact/email-us" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">E-mail Us</span></a>.</p> <p>Last Revised: 2024-05-23</p> <hr> <p> <i>If you want to know more about cancer and how it is treated, or if you wish to know about clinical trials for your type of cancer, you can call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at <b>1-800-422-6237</b>, toll free. A trained information specialist can talk with you and answer your questions. </i> </p> <hr> </div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation HwContentNavigationNoSections"><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwNavigationWrapper"><div class="HwNavigation" id="HwNavigation" role="navigation"><h3 class="HwNavStackHeader" id="HwNavStackHeader">Topic Contents</h3><ul aria-labelledby="HwNavStackHeader"><li id="nav-ncicdr0000304521-01"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Nci" data-hw-document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hw-section="ncicdr0000304521-01" hw:document-type="Nci" hw:document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hwid="ncicdr0000304521" hw:section-href="ncicdr0000304521-01" href="?id=ncicdr0000304521#ncicdr0000304521-01">What Is Screening?</a></li><li id="nav-ncicdr0000304521-02"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Nci" data-hw-document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hw-section="ncicdr0000304521-02" hw:document-type="Nci" hw:document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hwid="ncicdr0000304521" hw:section-href="ncicdr0000304521-02" href="?id=ncicdr0000304521#ncicdr0000304521-02">General Information About Esophageal Cancer</a></li><li id="nav-ncicdr0000304521-03"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Nci" data-hw-document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hw-section="ncicdr0000304521-03" hw:document-type="Nci" hw:document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hwid="ncicdr0000304521" hw:section-href="ncicdr0000304521-03" href="?id=ncicdr0000304521#ncicdr0000304521-03">Esophageal Cancer Screening</a></li><li id="nav-ncicdr0000304521-04"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Nci" data-hw-document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hw-section="ncicdr0000304521-04" hw:document-type="Nci" hw:document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hwid="ncicdr0000304521" hw:section-href="ncicdr0000304521-04" href="?id=ncicdr0000304521#ncicdr0000304521-04">Risks of Esophageal Cancer Screening</a></li><li id="nav-ncicdr0000304521-05"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Nci" data-hw-document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hw-section="ncicdr0000304521-05" hw:document-type="Nci" hw:document-href="ncicdr0000304521" data-hwid="ncicdr0000304521" hw:section-href="ncicdr0000304521-05" href="?id=ncicdr0000304521#ncicdr0000304521-05">About This PDQ Summary</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="HwNavigationWrapper HwNavigationEmpty"> </div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"> </div></div></div></div><div class="HwBlock" id="HwFooter"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterLeft"> </div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwFooterLegal"><div class="HwLegal HwElement" role="contentinfo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/terms.aspx">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/privacy.aspx">Privacy Policy</a>. Learn <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">how we develop our content</a>.</p></div><div class="HwOptionalLogo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div></div><div class="HwCopyright"><p>Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.</p></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterRight"> </div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwBlock" id="HwCustomFooter"> </div></div>