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Esophageal Cancer Causes

 According to the American Cancer Society the cause of esophageal cancer is not yet known. Several risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of getting the disease. The most effective strategy to avoid the illness is to avoid or eliminate exposure to these risk factors.

 Risk factors are those behaviors, ethnic traits, or environmental agents that increase the risk of getting a disease. While risk factors are not exact causes of an illness, they are linked to certain illnesses. So avoiding or eliminating risk factors is a good method of decreasing the risk of acquiring a disease.

Risk factors identified for esophageal cancer include:

• Age – Those 65 years old and older are at greater risk of developing esophageal cancer.
• Gender – Men are 3 times as likely as women to be diagnosed with the cancer.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Approximately 30% of esophageal cancer is related to GERD.
• Barrett’s Esophagus – A condition caused by a long history of GERD, Barrett’s Esophagus results in changes in the lining of the esophagus.  These cellular changes increase the risk of the cancer up to 30-125%.
• Tobacco and Alcohol – Smoking and drinking alcohol increase the risk of esophageal cancer.  Further, use of the two agents together increases the risk more than either agent used separately.
• Other risk factors include obesity, diet, workplace exposure to chemicals, and injury to the esophagus caused by lye.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, they offer integrative, whole person care. Contact one of their representatives all day, every day by phone or online chat. Cancer Treatment Centers of America has Hospitals in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Zion Illinois, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Goodyear Arizona. For more information on their integrative treatment options for esophageal cancer, call today.

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