The burning sensation you experience in your chest or throat after eating particular foods is acid reflux or heartburn. This condition is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Reflux might lead to cancer in some cases. It is best to consider medical advice in this situation. You can find the best cancer doctors in Mumbai at Nanavati Max Hospital.
How Common Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is relatively common – likely something most people have experienced at least once in their lives. However, you may risk developing esophageal cancer if you have chronic acid reflux occurring frequently – acid reflux that happens twice or more per week.
Do Acid Reflux And Esophageal Cancer Go Hand-In-Hand?
People who frequently experience acid reflux are more likely to develop esophageal cancer, although doctors are unsure why.
Acid reflux causes stomach acid to move up into your lower esophagus. Your esophagus does not have a lining like your stomach, which shields it from acid. It means the acid could harm the tissue cells in your esophagus.
When acid reflux causes tissue damage, it can occasionally result in Barrett’s esophagus. Due to this condition, the doctors change the tissue in your esophagus to tissue that resembles the intestinal lining. These cells can occasionally transform into cancerous cells.
Even though those with Barrett’s esophagus have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer, most people with this condition never do. However, compared to those who only have GERD, those who also have Barrett’s esophagus are more likely to develop esophageal cancer. If you witness symptoms of the latter, you should get yourself treated by the best cancer doctors in Mumbai.
5 Preventions For Esophageal Cancer
Here are some preventive measures for esophageal cancer:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco: Consumption of alcohol and tobacco are primary risk factors for esophageal cancer. The best way to lower your risk of esophageal cancer is to refrain from using tobacco and alcohol.
- Keep an eye on your weight and exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight may also help reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer, particularly the adenocarcinoma type, as obesity is related to the condition. Exercise may also lower your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Adhering to a healthy eating regimen are also crucial. Reduced risk of esophageal cancer may result from a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Get treated for acid reflux or Barrett’s Esophagus: You should get yourself treated for acid reflux or Barrett’s Esophagus. If you are in Mumbai, contact the cancer hospital in mumbai.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs: Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin and other medications that lessen pain and swelling.
5 Treatment For Esophageal Cancer
Treatments for Esophageal cancer include:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells using chemicals. Esophageal cancer patients can go through Chemotherapy drugs before or after surgery.
- Radiation treatment: High-energy beams, like X-rays and protons, are used in radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation typically originates from a machine outside of your body.
- Chemotherapy and radiation together: Combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy may make both treatments more effective. However, the likelihood and intensity of side effects increase when chemotherapy and radiation treatments are combined.
- Specific drug therapy: Targeted drug therapies concentrate on particular flaws in cancer cells. Doctors use a combination of targeted medications with chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer.
- Immunotherapy: It is a drug therapy that boosts your immune system’s capacity to fight cancer. Doctors use immunotherapy when esophageal cancer advances.
