Major Scientific Report Links Obesity, Alcohol to Esophageal Cancers

A systematic review of the global research has found that being overweight increases the risk of developing the most common type of U.S. esophageal cancer. The report also concluded that drinking alcohol increases the risk of the second major type of this cancer.

The report released by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) reaffirms and strengthens the findings of a previous AICR/WCRF report.

In the U.S., an estimated one in three (33 percent) of esophageal cancer cases could be prevented if people did not drink alcohol and were a healthy weight. That's approximately 5,600 esophageal cancer cases every year.

Alice Bender, MS, RDN, Head of Nutrition Programs at AICR, said: "These findings add to the evidence that lifestyle plays a powerful role in cancer risk. Obesity is now linked to eleven types of cancer and alcohol links to six. We want individuals to know you can take important lifestyle steps to reduce risk for many kinds of cancer."

BMI, Alcohol and Subtypes

"Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Esophageal Cancer" found there is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, one of the two main types of this cancer. The report shows a 48 percent increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma for every five unit increase in Body Mass Index.

Adenocarcinomas generally develop in the lower esophagus, starting from cells that make fluid. Approximately six of every ten U.S. esophageal cancer cases (62 percent) are adenocarcinomas.

The report also found strong evidence that consuming alcohol increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma -- 25 percent increased risk per 10 grams of alcohol per day. This is equivalent to about a glass of beer or wine.

Squamous cell esophageal cancers develop from the cells that line the esophagus. This type accounts for a third of U.S. esophageal cancers; it is the majority of esophageal cancer cases globally.

Emerging findings

The report collated and reviewed the 46 scientific studies available on esophageal cancer, diet, physical activity and weight in the first such review since 2007. The research covered 15 million adults of whom 31,000 were diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

The evidence linking fruits and vegetables to esophageal cancer has changed and is now less strong. This does not mean that no link exists, but that there are currently not enough studies to analyze by subtype and smoking status. Eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables is particularly important to maintain a healthy weight.

"Making smart choices like limiting alcoholic drinks, eating more vegetables, beans and other plant foods, and boosting your activity with walking breaks are all ways to get on a path to lower cancer risk," added Bender.

Worldwide, esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer. It is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths among US men. Survival rates are poor, mainly because these cancers are often diagnosed at a late stage.

Established causes of esophageal cancer include: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus for adenocarcinoma; and Tylosis A, Plummer Vinson syndrome and human papilloma virus (HPV) for squamous cell carcinoma. Smoking increases risk for both types of this cancer.