People are being urged to be vigilant for any warning signs of oesophageal cancer that can occur while eating. Oesophageal Awareness Month is marked during February in the UK. Each year, around 9,000 people across the country are affected by oesophageal cancer. The cancer can develop anywhere in the oesophagus, also known as the gullet or food pipe, which links your mouth to your stomach......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The severity of oesophageal cancer can depend on its location, size, whether it has spread (metastasised), and your overall health. However, the exact cause of oesophageal cancer isn’t always clear, as anyone can develop it.
There are two primary types of oesophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (which develops in the thin, flat cells lining the gullet) and adenocarcinoma (which originates from glandular cells and is often associated with Barrett’s oesophagus). There are also some less common types of oesophageal cancer, including neuroendocrine cancer, small cell cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas.
It’s crucial to be aware of the risk factors. To diagnose the cancer, the main tests include an endoscopy, which examines the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Here are some of the red flag warning signs that can occur when eating, which could indicate symptoms of oesophageal cancer.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer
MacMillan Cancer Support has highlighted that the most common symptom of oesophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing food. However, the charity also points out that some symptoms can mimic other common conditions.
- Food coming back up before reaching the stomach (regurgitation), feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Weight loss
- Pain in the chest or back, or pain in the throat or chest when swallowing
- Indigestion or heartburn that does not go away
- A hoarse voice or a cough that does not go away.
If you’re struggling to swallow or are concerned about any other symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly.
Risk factors
It’s important to note that being in a risk factor category doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop oesophageal cancer. Conversely, even without any risk factors, you could still be diagnosed with this type of cancer.
The NHS suggests that many cases of oesophageal cancer are linked to lifestyle choices, such as being overweight, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.
Other symptoms include:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Being overweight
- Oesophageal cancer is more common in men than in women
- Most oesophageal cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 40
- Smoking
- Drinking a lot of alcohol
- Eating a diet that is high in fat and cholesterol
- Previous treatment for cancer.
MacMillan also identifies two rare conditions, achalasia and tylosis, which can increase the likelihood of developing this cancer. To help reduce your risk of oesophageal cancer, the NHS advises losing weight if you’re overweight, allowing hot drinks to cool before consuming them, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.