Risk Factors

• Risk Factors That Can't Be Controlled
  • Age
    Most people who develop esophageal cancer are 45 or older.

  • Gender
    Men get esophageal cancer much more often than women.

  • Race
    Squamous Cell attacks African-Americans proportionately more often than it does Caucasians. Adenocarcinoma attacks Caucasians proportionately more often than it does African-Americans.

  • Radiation following mastectomy
    Women who have had a mastectomy followed by radiation therapy have a slightly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer in 10 to 15 years.

• Controllable Risk Factors
  • Tobacco Use
    Smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe or chewing tobacco increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer. The risk increases significantly for people who use tobacco and drink alcohol heavily.

  • Heavy Alcohol Drinking
    Long-term, frequent heavy drinking irritates the esophageal lining and is the main cause of squamous-cell esophageal cancer. Smoking increases the risk significantly.

  • Untreated chronic acid reflux disease
    Untreated acid reflux disease can irritate the lining of the esophagus can lead to Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which glandular cells which are susceptible to malignancy form in the lower esophagus.

  • Diet
    A diet low in fruits and vegetables - especially one low in vitamins A, B1 and C, beta carotene and selenium can contribute to developing esophageal cancer.

  • Overweight
    A weight of 20 pounds or more over the ideal can contribute to developing esophageal cancer.

  • Silica Dust
    Long-term exposure to silica dust can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Quarry workers, miners and construction workers who work with granite, sandstone, brick, concrete and tile may be exposed to silica dust.