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Esophageal Cancer Risk Factors

 Ethnic traits, behaviors or environmental agents that increase the risk of developing a disease are called risk factors.  It is important to remember that risk factors do not indicate actual causes of disease.  Some risk factors can be changed while other risk factors cannot be changed.  Risk factors that can be changed include things like obesity, smoking and eating too few vegetables. Risk factors that cannot be changed include things like gender, age and race. Elimination of exposure risk factors is important in the prevention of disease. 

 Risk factors identified for esophageal cancer include:

• Age – Those typically diagnosed with esophageal cancer are age 65 or older.
• Gender – The risk of men developing the cancer is 3-4 times higher than that of women.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – The American Cancer Society GERD is related to 30% of all esophageal cancers.
• Barrett’s Esophagus – This condition is caused by a long history of GERD and results in cellular changes in the esophageal lining.  The risk of developing esophageal cancer is increased 30-125% in those with Barrett’s Esophagus.  
• Tobacco and Alcohol – While both smoking and drinking alcohol increase the risk of esophageal cancer, combined use of the tobacco and alcohol increases the risk of the 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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