A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology concluded that the rate of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) nearly doubles in those who smoke and drink compared to those who only smoke or drink. Authors stated “Our study suggests that not only do alcohol and tobacco play an important role in the development of esophageal cancer, the combination of their use markedly increases their potential as carcinogens.” Researchers carried out a systematic search of the literature on multiple electronic data bases for population-based-case-controlled or cohort studies of ESCC that assessed the effect of tobacco and/or alcohol. To estimate the interaction of alcohol, and /or tobacco on esophageal cancer on a multiplicative scale a synergy factor was calculated from studies for the burden of esophageal cancer on those who smoked and/or drank. The researchers concluded “Our systematic review confirmed the expected exposure-dependent relationship of both alcohol and tobacco with the risk of ESCC. as alcohol use and tobacco use were both independent risk factors for the development of ESCC.”
Posts Tagged ‘esophageal cancer’
Does the combination or alcohol and tobacco increase the risk of esopageal cancer?
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014Can Lifestyle Factors Reduce the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?
Friday, April 12th, 2013Recent news from the Seattle Barrett’s Esophagus Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in collaboration with Brigham & Women’s College and the University of California in San Francisco have shown that a systematic approach to early cancer detection can boost five-year survival rates from about 15 percent to more than 80 percent. They have also shown that modifiable lifestyle factors-from reducing obesity to quitting smoking–may also prevent progression of Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal cancer. Some of the ways to prevent this condition from progressing to esophageal cancer were identified and follow.
Earlier research in 2007 reported that people with the more aggressive form of Barrett’s may benefit gfrom preventive therapy with aspirin or other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Following Barrett’s patients over time they identified a cluster of 4 known cancer bio markers in this group that increased their risk of developing esophageal cancer. They found that subjects with 3 or more of these bio markers who also used aspirin or other no0nsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) had a 30 % chance of developing esophageal cancer after 10 years whereas those who did not use the aspirin had a 79% change of developing cancer with a decade. They believe aspirin and other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs may fight cancer by reducing chronic inflammation. However, because this was a long term observational study and not a clinical trial they cannot recommend aspirin for people with Barrett’s and also advise that anyone wh uses them do so under medical direction because of the side effects such as g.i. bleeding.
Another study looked at Barrett’s and statin drugs for lowering cholesterol and found that various combinations of statin and/or NSAID’s used by patients with Barrett’s and and high grade dysplasia had a reduced risk of esophageal cancer when compared with those who did not use these drugs.
This year they lo0ked at lifestyle and esophageal cancer and found that heavy smokers with Barrett’s were more than twice as likely to develop esophageal cancer than non-smokers with Barrett’s. They also found that obesity especially belly fat, was more strongly associated with the progression of Barrett’s to esophageal cancer.
They also offered suggestions for managing the symptoms of chronic acid reflux that is a risk factor for Barrett’s. These included smoking cessation, keeping weight down, getting regular exercise, eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, refrain from eating four hours before retiring, elevate the head of your bed if you have heart burn, and take antacids for occasional heartburn and see you doctor if you have frequent heartburn or if over the counter medications do not help.
Research Show Precancerous Growth in Esophagus May Be Slowed by Strawberries
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Research presented at the 102nd meeting of the American Cancer Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Orlando, Florida on April 2-6 concluded that “daily consumption of strawberries suppressed biomarkers involved in esophageal carcinogenesis, including cell proliferation, inflammation and gene transcription.” This clinical trial was a follow up with humans of a previous trial by the researchers in which they found that freeze-dried strawberries significantly inhibited the development of esophageal tumors in rats.
The 36 study subjects ate 60 grams (about 2 ounces) of freeze-dried strawberries daily for 6 months. Biopsy specimens were obtained before and after this intervention. Results showed that 29 of the 36 subjects demonstrated a decrease in the histological grade of the precancerous lesions during the study period. Because the researchers believe most patients with precancerous esophageal lesions later develop esophageal cancer strawberries may slow the progression of the lesions in the esophagus.
More information is available at:
http://www.aacr.org/home/public–media/aacr-in-the-news.aspx?d=2327
Esophageal Cancer Risk May Double with Long Term Use of Oral Bisphosphonates
Friday, September 17th, 2010
A new study published online in the British Medical Journal
concluded that people who take oral bisphosphonates over 5 years for bone disease such as osteoporosis or fracture prevention may have double the risk of developing esophageal cancer over those who do not. Data from the UK General Practice Research Data which includes around 6 million people were used to select a sample. Men and women over 40 years of age were the focus and 2,954 subjects with esophageal cancer, 2,018 with stomach cancer, and 10,641 with colorectal cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 were used. Each subject was compared with 5 controls that were matched for age, gender, general practice and observation period. They found that subjects with 10 or more prescriptions, or with prescriptions for over 5 years had about double the risk of esophageal cancer compared with subjects who did not have bisphosphonate prescriptions and there was no increase for stomach or bowel cancer.
