×

Esophageal Cancer: Risk Factors & Prevention Measures

Home> Esophageal Cancer> Prevention and Risk Factors

The risk of esophageal cancer is relatively high among those who consume tobacco and alcohol. Those with chronic acid reflux also have a higher chance of developing esophageal cancer. Having a detailed understanding of various esophageal carcinoma risk factors and measures for the possible prevention of esophageal cancer can help reduce the overall risk of esophageal cancer

What are the Esophageal Cancer Risk Factors?

Certain lifestyle-related and non-lifestyle-related factors may impact the risk of esophageal cancer. Lifestyle-related risk factors are modifiable. In other words, it is possible to reduce one’s esophageal cancer risk by making certain lifestyle modifications.

Age

Increasing age is one of the most important esophageal cancer risk factors. The risk of esophageal cancer is found to be high among individuals between the ages of 45 and 70.

Gender

Men have a higher tendency to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer than women. This could probably be because of the higher incidence of tobacco and alcohol consumption, obesity, and heartburn in men.

Tobacco and Alcohol Use

Smoking and alcohol consumption are identified as important esophageal cancer risk factors. The carcinogens, or harmful components, present in tobacco affect the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus. Smokers are found to have a 2-fold higher risk of developing esophageal cancer than non-smokers. All these aspects make tobacco consumption the most common risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Obesity

Obesity causes chronic heartburn, which is one of the esophageal cancer risk factors. Obesity may also lead to inflammation and hormonal imbalances in the body, which may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Having certain vitamin deficiencies can increase one’s risk of esophageal cancer. Deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamin B (B1, B3, B6, and B9), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E, along with selenium, are found to increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is one of the esophageal adenocarcinoma risk factors. Barrett’s esophagus is a medical condition wherein the cellular lining of the esophagus becomes similar to that of the stomach and intestine. In those with Barrett’s esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter fails to function normally, which leads to chronic acid reflux. The stomach acid that refluxes into the esophagus gradually damages the esophageal lining, causes inflammation, and increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Barrett’s esophagus may increase one’s esophageal cancer risk; however, not everyone with this condition will develop cancer.

Book an Appointment

Esophageal Cancer Prevention Measures

There is no proven way to prevent esophageal cancer. However, adopting certain preventive measures can help reduce esophageal cancer risk. The following are some of the important esophageal cancer prevention measures:

Quit Smoking and Alcohol Use

Refraining from tobacco and alcohol consumption is one of the most important esophageal cancer prevention measures.

Both tobacco and alcohol are harmful carcinogens that may damage the esophageal lining, cause inflammation, lead to chronic acid reflux, and thereby increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Studies have reported that quitting the consumption of tobacco and alcohol can significantly reduce one’s esophageal cancer risk.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly will help maintain optimum body weight. Exercise plays a pivotal role in promoting overall health and possibly preventing GERD, lowering the levels of hormones and growth factors that are responsible for cancer growth, reducing inflammation, and releasing myokines, which help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells.

Regular Checkup

Esophageal cancer may not always cause symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is necessary to opt for regular health checkups and be mindful of different esophageal cancer symptoms, especially those that overlap with symptoms of other health problems. This helps reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is one of the biggest esophageal cancer risk factors, and therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Opting for a balanced diet that is free of processed foods and regular exercise can support healthy weight management, which will eventually aid in possible esophageal cancer prevention.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been found to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. A plant-based diet has an anticarcinogenic effect on the body.



Conclusion

It is not possible to prevent esophageal cancer since the exact cause of it is unknown. However, some esophageal cancer prevention measures may help reduce one’s risk of developing this cancer. Refraining from tobacco and alcohol consumption, consuming a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and undergoing regular health checkups are a few measures that can help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What foods should be avoided for esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer patients should avoid certain foods, as they are either difficult to swallow or cause irritation and heartburn. It is better to avoid crackers and nuts, spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, hot foods and drinks, acidic foods, and processed foods.

It is also necessary to refrain from tobacco and alcohol consumption.

While evaluating the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients, doctors consider a myriad of factors, including the stage at which the diagnosis is made, the type of esophageal cancer, the patient’s age, and the patient’s overall health status. The 5-year survival rates are good if esophageal cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, when the tumor is localized.

This depends on various factors like the disease’s stage, the patient’s age, and the overall health condition of the patient. Without treatment, esophageal cancer patients may survive for about 4-6 months.

Patients have excellent survival rates when the disease is diagnosed and treated in the early stages, and therefore, it is important to receive timely treatment for esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer commonly spreads to the lymph nodes present in the regions of the chest and neck. As the disease progresses, it may spread to distant lymph nodes.

The biggest risk factors for esophageal carcinoma include tobacco and alcohol consumption, health conditions like GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, and achalasia, obesity, increasing age, certain vitamin deficiencies, and poor diet habits.