The best way to prevent Barrett's esophagus is to diagnose and treat GERD as early as possible.
A person who has Barrett's esophagus is 30 to 40 times more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus than a person who does not have this condition. Five to 10% of the people with Barrett's esophagus develop cancer of the esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus is not contagious and poses no risk to others.