EsoGuard

05/02/2026

For 21 years, Steven Dorsey has answered the call — a third-generation Baltimore City firefighter, a father of four, and a grandfather of five. Steve has spent his life putting others before himself.

Now he's fighting a battle no amount of training could prepare him for: stage 4 esophageal cancer.

Steve's only warning sign? Difficulty swallowing — a symptom most would dismiss without a second thought. By the time he was diagnosed in February 2025, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver.

The reality is staggering. Firefighters face a 62% higher risk of developing esophageal cancer than the general population. Years of exposure to toxic chemicals, smoke, and carcinogens take a silent toll — and without routine screening, this aggressive cancer is often caught far too late.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Today, there is a test that can detect esophageal precancer before cancer develops — giving people a chance to act early.

Even in the midst of his own treatment, he's using his voice to advocate for esophageal screening across the country — determined to make sure the next firefighter gets answers sooner than he did.

Awareness isn't just about information. It's about action. Because earlier detection can change the course of this disease — and the lives it touches.

Awareness leads to action.
Action leads to earlier detection.
And earlier detection can save lives.

04/30/2026

As Month comes to a close, our focus on early detection continues.

An estimated 22,530 Americans will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year. Behind every statistic is a person — a parent, a partner, a friend — and a family whose life is forever changed.

Early detection can change outcomes.

04/23/2026

While the incidence of many major cancers is flat or declining, esophageal adenocarcinoma continues to rise.

Over the past four decades, cases have increased more than 500% in the U.S.—yet awareness and screening have not kept pace.

Today, esophageal cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers, with a five-year survival rate of just ~20%.

What makes this especially challenging: it’s often silent until it’s advanced.
What makes it especially important: it’s often preventable.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma typically develops from Barrett’s Esophagus—a precancerous condition that can be detected before cancer forms. Yet more than 90% of patients diagnosed were never identified at the precancer stage.

At least 30 million at-risk Americans with chronic heartburn (GERD) are recommended for screening under major clinical guidelines—but most go unscreened.

At Lucid Diagnostics, we’re focused on enabling a different strategy—one centered on identifying esophageal precancer earlier, before it progresses to cancer.

The EsoGuard® DNA test offers a non-endoscopic, in-office approach to detecting precancer—helping direct the right patients to further evaluation.

Because when incidence is rising,
early detection isn’t optional—it’s essential.

04/22/2026

“I may not be sitting here now if they hadn’t caught it when they did.”

Veteran Dan Rathke didn’t think much of his severe acid reflux—and like many people, he rarely went to the doctor. He had no idea he could be at risk for esophageal cancer.

But his primary care physician, Dr. Jamie Glover, recognized the risk factors and recommended screening with the EsoGuard® test.

That decision led to the detection of precancerous changes—before they had the chance to progress to cancer.

When it comes to esophageal cancer, detecting disease at the precancerous stage is critical, and possible, with the EsoGuard test.

04/20/2026

04/17/2026

It’s —and esophageal precancer screening events are already kicking off at Tampa General Hospital.

The first of several events is bringing together teams from the Digestive Disease Institute, Thoracic Oncology, and ENT to expand access to screening with the EsoGuard test—helping identify esophageal precancer earlier so patients can take action before cancer develops.

04/13/2026

What exactly is a risk factor—and why does it matter?

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s likelihood of developing a disease. It doesn’t mean the disease will happen, but it signals that the risk is higher.

Risk factors can include things like age, medical history, lifestyle habits, or environmental exposures. Some can be modified. Others cannot.

Understanding risk factors is important because they help clinicians identify who may benefit from screening or closer monitoring—often before symptoms appear.

For many diseases, including esophageal cancer, the earliest stages can develop silently. Recognizing risk factors allows physicians to take a more proactive approach to identifying patients who may benefit from screening designed to detect disease before it progresses.

Because prevention and often begin with understanding risk.

04/11/2026

While many cancer rates have stayed steady or declined, esophageal cancer has surged by over 500% in the past 40 years — one of the fastest increases of any cancer.

Rising rates of acid reflux, obesity, and lack of screening are major drivers.

Unlike many other cancers, esophageal cancer often isn't found until it's advanced — but early detection can make all the difference.

According to American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) those with the following are at increased risk:
⚠️ Individuals with chronic GERD symptoms
⚠️ Male
⚠️ Age over 50 years
⚠️ White race
⚠️ To***co smoking
⚠️ Obesity
⚠️ Family History of Barrett's Esophagus (precancer) or Esophageal
Adenocarcinoma (cancer)

Know your risk and talk to your doctor about the EsoGuard test.

04/10/2026

Cancer is the number one killer of firefighters.

Across the country, fire departments are taking action with esophageal precancer screening events to detect disease earlier—before cancer develops.

Attending FDIC International this month? Connect with the team from Lucid Diagnostics to learn how departments nationwide are implementing EsoGuard® screening programs to help protect their firefighters.

04/07/2026

Today is .

Health isn’t just about treating disease—it’s about preventing it.

Scott saw that firsthand. After a routine visit to his allergist helped him recognize his increased risk for esophageal precancer, he took action and was screened.

The EsoGuard test detected abnormal cells—giving his care team the opportunity to intervene before cancer had the chance to develop.

As Scott puts it:
“If you don’t know what’s happening, you can’t do anything about it.”

Today, advances in science are making it possible to detect disease earlier, before cancer develops.

Because when we know sooner, we can act sooner.

04/06/2026

When Dr. Corbett recommended the EsoGuard test, his patient William didn’t hesitate.

William already knew what it meant to face cancer, he’s a prostate cancer survivor.

He had no symptoms, but based on his age, ethnicity, and medical history, he had several risk factors that increased his likelihood of esophageal disease.

The test detected abnormal cells.

That result led to an endoscopy—giving his care team the opportunity to intervene early, before cancer had the chance to develop.