Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing esophageal cancer:

Age. People between the ages of 45 and 70 are at greatest risk.

Gender. Men are three to four times more likely than women to develop esophageal cancer.

Race. Black people are twice as likely as white people to develop esophageal cancer.

Tobacco. Using any form of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, raises the risk of esophageal cancer.

Alcohol. Heavy drinking over the long term increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, especially when combined with tobacco use.

Barrett's esophagus. This condition can develop in some people who have chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), even when a person does not experience symptoms of chronic heartburn. Damage to the lining of the esophagus causes abnormal changes in cells. People with Barrett's esophagus are more likely to develop adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Diet/Nutrition. A diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and certain vitamins and minerals can increase a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Obesity. Being severely overweight and having excess body fat can increase a person's risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Lye ingestion. Lye ingestion by children is associated with an increase in squamous cell carcinoma. Lye can be found in some cleansing products, such as drain cleaners.

Achalasia. Achalasia, a condition when the lower muscular ring of the esophagus fails to relax during swallowing of food, increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.