What are the Risk Factors for Oesophageal Cancer?

Key Risk Factors Behind Oesophageal Cancer

Oesophageal cancer refers to a condition where a sudden growth of cells starts in the oesophagus. The oesophagus helps to move swallowed food from the back of our throat to the stomach for digestion. This type of cancer can occur anywhere along the oesophagus. Read on to discover more about the risk factors that lead to this type of cancer.

Risk Factors for Oesophageal Cancer

Here is a list of some risk factors that increase the chances of getting oesophageal cancer:

Age and Gender

• As a person gets older, their chances of getting oesophageal cancer also increase. According to statistics, fewer than 15% of cases of this type of cancer affect people less than the age of 55.
• Furthermore, men are more likely than women to get oesophageal cancer. It is because men have 3-4 times higher incidence due to higher tobacco/alcohol use and estrogen's protective role in women.

Consumption of Tobacco and Alcohol

• The usage of tobacco products like cigars, pipes, cigarettes, or chewing tobacco is a significant risk factor that contributes to oesophageal cancer. Similarly, excessive drinking of alcohol also contributes to the same risk. The more alcohol that a person drinks, the higher their chances of getting oesophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• Our stomach makes strong enzymes and acids to help with digestion. Sometimes, this acid escapes the stomach and enters the lower part of the oesophagus. The medical term for this is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
• In many people, reflux leads to symptoms like pain and heartburn, which seem to arise from the middle of the chest. For some people, reflux might not show any outward symptoms at all. All in all, people with GERD also have a higher risk of getting this cancer.

Obesity

• Being obese or overweight increases the risk of getting oesophageal adenocarcinoma. It is also partly because people who have excess weight are more likely to get gastroesophageal reflux. People who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher are considered obese.

Diet and Nutrition

• The presence of certain substances in the diet can also increase the risk. For instance, a diet which has a high amount of processed meat increases the chance of developing oesophageal cancer. It can explain the higher rate of cancer in particular parts of the world.
• To lower the risk of oesophageal cancer, one needs to have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Injury to the Oesophagus

• Lye is a chemical found in household cleaners like drain cleaners. Accidentally drinking lye can cause a severe burn in the oesophagus. As the scar tissue gradually gets repaired, it can cause the oesophagus to become narrow (stricture). 
  Individuals who have strictures are at an increased risk of getting squamous cell oesophageal cancer. This condition can show up even decades later.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the risk of getting oesophageal cancer. Thus, by knowing about the risks beforehand, one can get a diagnosis and an efficient treatment.