What are the risk factors for esophageal cancer?

The esophagus is part of the digestive tract and is the only way for food to enter our body. Therefore, the occurrence of esophageal cancer must be related to some of our eating habits. So, what are the risk factors for esophageal cancer?

Frequently eating hot food

Although the esophageal mucosa is squamous epithelium and has a certain anti-friction effect, the squamous epithelium of the esophagus is different from the squamous epithelium of the skin. It is not keratinized and is thin and soft. When overheated food passes through the esophagus and contacts the mucosal epithelium, it will irritate or even damage it. After the esophageal mucosa is damaged, it will proliferate and repair itself. In the process of repeated stimulation and repeated repair, some cells in the esophageal mucosal epithelial cells may "mutate", and these mutated cells will further change into cancer cells and form esophageal cancer.

Smoking

Cigarette smoke and tar contain a variety of carcinogens. Smoking can induce a variety of cancers, and it also plays an important role in the occurrence of esophageal cancer. Smoking may induce esophageal cancer because the carcinogens in tobacco are swallowed into the esophagus with saliva or food, or act on the esophageal mucosa after absorption, causing cancer. Studies have confirmed that smoking has no benefits, so we should stay away from tobacco and quit smoking as soon as possible.

Excessive drinking

At present, research has confirmed that the occurrence of esophageal cancer is related to heavy drinking, especially strong alcohol. This is mainly because:

(1) Alcohol can destroy the protective layer of the esophageal mucosa, directly damage the esophageal mucosal cells, and make it easier for carcinogens to contact and damage the esophageal mucosa.

(2) Excessive drinking can cause digestive disorders, gastric acid reflux, reflux esophagitis, and aggravate esophageal mucosal damage. Excessive drinking can cause central nervous system disorders, reduce the body's immunity, and make it more susceptible to carcinogens.

(3) Excessive drinking reduces digestive function, affects normal eating, leads to nutrient deficiencies, and causes malnutrition of the body.

Weak immune system

The body's immune system has three main functions: immune defense, immune stability, and immune surveillance. When the body's immune function is low, it is easy to suffer from various diseases, including esophageal cancer. Under normal circumstances, when abnormal cells (including cancer cells) are produced in the human body, the immune system immediately monitors and removes these "foreign molecules". When the immune function is low, this "scavenger" function is suppressed, and abnormal cells will multiply in large numbers, leading to the occurrence of cancer.