Esophageal Cancer
Learn About Esophageal Cancer
HOW PREVENTABLE IS ESOPHAGEAL CANCER?
Few Americans realize that making simple, everyday changes to what we eat and how much we move could prevent approximately 7 out of every 10 cases of esophageal cancer in the US (69 percent).
In other words, if Americans ate smart, moved more and stayed lean, over 12,000 cases of esophageal cancer every year would never happen.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate Now to Support Cancer Research and Education
STAY INFORMED
Register to receive updates on AICR Research
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month
WHAT ARE ESOPHAGEAL CANCER'S
MAJOR RISK FACTORS?
| Weight: If you are obese, your risk for esophageal cancer is nearly twice that of a person who is at a healthy weight. |
Alcohol: Generally, risk for esophageal cancer increases as alcohol consumption increases. There is evidence that among some populations (those of East Asian descent) the increase in risk is more pronounced. |
| Smoking: Both current and former smokers increase their risk of contracting esophageal cancer. For squamous cell esophageal cancer, which makes up between 20 and 50 percent of US cases, current smokers increase their risk five-fold. | Age: The older you are, the greater your risk. |
HOW COMMON IS ESOPHAGEAL CANCER?
Nearly 17,500 new cases of esophageal cancer occur annually. The vast majority of these cases – nearly 14,000 – occur in men, while approximately 3,500 occur in women.
Esophageal cancer will claim over 15,000 lives this year alone.
RELATED ARTICLES
FOCUS ON THE RISK FACTORS YOU CONTROL
A Menu for
Esophageal Cancer Prevention
Learn about AICR’s simple, visual, award-winning approach to meal planning that helps you lower your cancer risk – and your weight.
Foods That Fight CancerTMAICR’s new web resource keeps you up-to-date about the latest research on foods that belong at the center of your New American Plate.
To lower your risk for esophageal cancer, make everyday choices that will help you stay at or get to your healthy weight.
Find your healthy weight using the AICR Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator.
Moving more and eating well help you achieve your healthy weight.
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco also lower your risk.
MOVE MORE
Aim to get your body up and moving for at least 30 minutes every day. Try anything that:
- Makes your heart beat faster
- Makes you breathe more deeply
- You already enjoy doing
EAT WELL
| Get More: | Get Less: |
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| A good rule of thumb:
Always fill at least 2/3 of your plate with plant foods, and let animal foods (meat and dairy) take up the rest. |
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IF YOU CHOOSE TO DRINK, LIMIT ALCOHOL
- If you do decide to drink, keep to no more than 1 standard drink (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor) per day for women, and 2 drinks per day for men. Enjoy unsweetened tea, coffee, club soda or sparkling apple juice instead.
AVOID TOBACCO IN ANY FORM
What the Research Shows
FOOD, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND CANCER OF THE ESOPHAGUS
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|---|---|---|
| Source: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective | ||
| STRENGTH OF CURRENT EVIDENCE | DECREASES RISK |
INCREASES RISK |
| CONVINCING Effect on Risk: |
Body fatness Alcoholic drinks |
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| PROBABLE Effect on Risk: |
Fruits Non-starchy vegetables Foods containing beta-carotene Foods containing vitamin C |
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What’s the Link?
- Excess Body Fat Raises Esophageal Cancer Risk
- Overweight and obesity are associated with gastro-esophageal reflux and Barrett’s esophagus, conditions which damage the cells lining the esophagus in ways that make them prone to cancer.
- Being overweight and obese also increases blood levels of insulin and related hormones that can encourage the growth of cancer.
- Alcohol Raises Esophageal Cancer Risk
- The body coverts alcohol into acetylaldehyde, a potent carcinogen.
- Alcohol may act as a solvent, making it easier for carcinogens such as tobacco smoke to penetrate the cells lining the esophagus.
- Alcohol can adversely affect how efficiently the body repairs DNA damage and defends against free radicals.
- Statistically, heavy drinkers tend to have poor diets, which increases their cancer risk.
- Fruits, Especially Fruits Containing Beta-Carotene and Vitamin C, Lower Esophageal Cancer Risk
- Both carotenoids and vitamin C are potent antioxidants capable of trapping free radicals, protecting DNA, and stimulating the immune system.
- Non-Starchy Vegetables Lower Esophageal Cancer Risk
- These foods contain a wide variety of substances that have been linked to lower cancer risk, including dietary fiber, carotenoids, folate, selenium, lycopene and many more.
AICR-Supported Studies
LOOK FORWARD WITH HOPE
Today, your chances for overcoming esophageal cancer and returning to an active and full live are the best they've ever been.
But throughout your treatment, and after its over, you will face many everyday questions. AICR can help.
AICR’s CancerResource: A Program for Those Living with Cancer is a free kit of information specifically for the newly diagnosed cancer patient.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Esophageal cancer survivors are living longer, healthier lives than ever before.
See below for selections from AICR's CancerResource. Or read the complete CancerResource flipping book online.
BEFORE TREATMENT
DURING TREATMENT
- Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Your Treatment Worksheet
- Questions to Ask About Nutrition During Treatment
- Evidence-based advice on managing nutrition-related side effects of treatment
- Staying active during treatment
AFTER TREATMENT
- AICR’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
- Healthy or Harmful? Frequently Asked Questions about Life After Cancer
More AICR Materials for Esophageal Cancer Survivors
In-depth brochures on cancer survivorship; read online or order a free copy.
Join the Fight Against Esophageal Cancer
Nearly 17,500 new cases of esophageal cancer occur annually but few Americans realize that making simple, everyday changes to what we eat and how much we move could prevent approximately 7 out of every 10 cases of esophageal cancer. Your support for AICR's cancer research, survivorship, and education programs will help us get one step closer to preventing esophageal cancer and saving lives.
Donate Today!
Your gift will help fund emerging research on esophageal cancer and other cancers and improve the quality of health for esophageal cancer patients and survivors.
Honor Someone Facing Esophageal Cancer
Make a gift in memory of a loved one. Your gift will help fund research and survivorship programs for those with esophageal cancer and other cancers for years to come.
Give in Memory of a Loved One
Make a gift in memory of a loved one. Your gift will help fund research and survivorship programs for those with esophageal cancer and other cancers for years to come.
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month
For every bracelet sold, $1 will be donated to AICR.
Do You Have a Question? Ask the Expert!
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions we receive in our FAQ below. Have a question about diet and food and cancer prevention? Ask your question using this form. We will post some of the answers to the questions we receive that have the most benefit to the most people.
Ask Your Question
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
