Looking out for oesophageal cancer
Difficulty swallowing food could be a sign of cancer of the oesophagus, especially if you’re over the age of 55. The oesophagus is the long tube (gullet) that carries food from the throat to the stomach.
And having indigestion or heartburn most days, for 3 weeks or more, can be a sign of stomach cancer, again especially if you’re over 55.
Chances are it’s nothing serious, but don’t learn to live with it – tell your doctor.
Finding cancer early makes it more treatable and could save your life.
Read about oesophageal cancer symptoms on NHS Choices.
Read about stomach cancer symptoms on NHS Choices.
Preventing oesophageal cancer
As well as being a significant risk factor for oesophageal cancer, smoking is also a major contributor to many serious diseases, such as heart disease and lung cancer, and it is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK.
Read about how Live Well Suffolk can help you quit.
Get advice, helpful tools and watch videos on ways to quit.
Alcohol is another significant risk factor for oesophageal cancer, as well as for other serious conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and liver disease. The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:
- 3-4 units of alcohol for men
- 2-3 units for women
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. For more information, see Live Well: alcohol.
If you need to lose excess weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help. If you are very overweight, or obese, losing weight will help to reduce your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus.
The most successful weight loss programmes include at least at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. cycling or fast walking) every week, eating smaller portions and only having healthy snacks between meals. A gradual weight loss of around 0.5kg (1.1lb) a week is usually recommended.
Read about how Live Well Suffolk can help you lose weight.
Get advice, helpful tools and watch videos on ways to help you lose weight.
