The incidence of esophageal squamous carcinoma in China has trended downward, which is strongly associated with prevention targeting high-risk factors, and effective screening.
China has been conducting cancer prevention-related work and studies since the 1960s for residents in areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer, such as Linzhou, Henan Province. A lot of data tells us that esophageal cancer can be prevented. The main things you can do are: change bad habits and quit bad habits.
1. Quit smoking, quit drinking
Studies show that 46% of esophageal cancer cases and deaths in China are related to smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating too few vegetables and fruits. Therefore, quitting smoking and drinking moderately can effectively prevent esophageal cancer.
2. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
A study has shown that the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of esophageal squamous carcinoma. Onion and garlic vegetables, carrots, green vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage, rape, and mustard) have cancer-preventive effects. It is recommended that vegetables that can be eaten raw are best eaten raw. However, vegetables that are too coarse and hard, such as celery, are still recommended to be cooked and softened before eating them, because eating coarse and hard foods often is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
3. Eat less pickled, moldy, hot and smoked foods
A study of Lin County, Henan Province, a region with a high incidence of esophageal cancer in China, showed that consumption of pickled, moldy, hot and smoky foods was a major risk factor for esophageal cancer in the region. And preventive measures to address these risk factors, such as mold-proofing food and changing poor dietary habits, have led to a significant reduction in the incidence of esophageal cancer in Linxian.
If you or your family have the above-mentioned bad eating habits, please make sure to change them in time and try to help the elderly and children in your family to develop good eating habits. Try to avoid foods that contain nitrosamines, such as pickles, salted fish, and salted meat. Moldy food, food contaminated with fungus, etc., should also not be eaten. In addition, meals should be chewed slowly, rather slow than fast, rather light than greasy.
4. Treat precancerous lesions as soon as possible
If you have chronic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal leukoplakia, achalasia, and Barrett’s (Barrett’s) esophagus, be sure to treat them aggressively, monitor them closely, and review them regularly.
Suspicious symptoms, such as mild or occasional choking sensation of food going down the throat; pins and needles, burning or rubbing pain behind the sternum or in the heart fossa during eating; foreign body sensation in the esophagus unrelated to eating; dryness in the pharynx and tightness in the neck; stagnation of food in a certain area during eating; and stuffy discomfort behind the sternum, should be sought as soon as possible for early detection of the lesion.