Seven types of people, including those with smoking and drinking habits, obesity, and the elderly over 60 years old, are all high-risk groups for esophageal cancer. (Schematic diagram / flipped from pexels)
Taiwan’s top ten cancers for men rank 6th, and the disease that kills nearly 2,000 people every year is “esophageal cancer”, which is difficult to detect in the early stage, and the incidence rate of men is 11 to 16 times higher than that of women. In this regard, nutritionist Li Wanping reminded that seven types of people, including those with smoking and drinking habits, obesity, and the elderly over 60 years old, are all high-risk groups that are prone to esophageal cancer.
Li Wanping posted on her Facebook page that the esophagus is located between the trachea and the spine, and its main function is to send food and liquids to the gastrointestinal tract for digestion. “Esophageal cancer” is divided into “squamous cell carcinoma” that occurs in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus. , and the 2 types of “adenocarcinoma” that most commonly occur in the lower esophagus.
Li Wanping pointed out that although the exact cause of esophageal cancer is not yet known, the following seven types of people are high-risk groups for cancer:
First, age: cancer is more common in people over 60 years old than in people under 60 years old.
Second, smoking: Whether it is the use of traditional cigarettes, cigars or smokeless products, it will damage the DNA in the epidermal cells of the esophagus and cause abnormal changes in the cells.
Third, drinking: Long-term or (and) heavy drinking will increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Fourth, Barrett’s esophagitis (Barrett’s Esophagus): This is a mucosal change caused by long-term and untreated gastroesophageal reflux, which is regarded as a precancerous lesion of esophageal cancer.
Fifth, human papillomavirus (HPV): Infection with HPV may not only lead to cervical cancer, but studies have now confirmed that this virus is also an important risk factor for esophageal cancer.
Sixth, cancer history: People with a family history of cancer or head and neck cancer themselves have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Seventh, obesity: Overweight or obese groups have a higher probability of suffering from esophageal cancer, partly because they are more prone to gastroesophageal reflux.
In this regard, Li Wanping reminded that patients with esophageal cancer are likely to be ignored because the initial symptoms are not obvious or mild, and they are easily overlapped with other diseases. If they have difficulty swallowing or pain, unexplained weight loss of about 10-15%, persistent cough and hoarseness , Pain behind the breastbone, indigestion and heartburn and other symptoms, you should seek help from a doctor as soon as possible.
