Risk factors
Studies show that severe irritation of your oesophagus may be responsible for the changes that lead to oesophagal cancer. Factors responsible for irritation in the cells of your oesophagus and make you more prone to oesophagal cancer are:
- Smoking
- Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Having precancerous changes in the cells of the oesophagus (Barrett’s oesophagus)
- Being obese
- Drinking alcohol
- Having bile reflux
- Having a steady habit of drinking very hot liquids
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen
- Having difficulty swallowing because of an oesophagal sphincter that won’t relax (achalasia)