Oesophageal Cancer

The oesophagus is the tube that carry food from the mouth to the stomach.

Oesophageal cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the lining of the oesophagus and then invades the outer layer before spreading to other organs if left untreated.

According to the latest WHO data, the age adjusted Death Rate for Oesophageal cancer is 0.75 per 100,000 of population, ranking Nigeria #171 in the world

Though there some common factors that can predispose one to the risk for oesophageal cancer, the most important factor to avoid is ” heart burn

Heart burn is a condition in which stomach acid that is meant to remain in the stomach gurgles up into the oesophagus, burning the inner lining, and triggering inflammation that can lead to Barretts oesophagus.

Barretts oesophagus is a precancerous condition that involves changes in the oesophagus lining, which could eventually lead to full blown cancer if these ugly sequence of events are not stopped.

Aside from the risk of cancer, heart burn can cause severe pain, bleeding, and scaring of lining of the Oesophagus which can make swallowing foods difficult.

There are medications to alleviate heart burn and acid reflux by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
The problem with these medications is that they contribute to nutritional deficiencies and increase the risk of intestinal infections and bone fractures.

Early on, oesophageal cancer shows no sign, but as it grows, swallowing difficulties will emerge.

The most important risk factor against Oesophageal cancer to prevent is heart burn .
And this can be effectively achieved with diet.