It is well known that smoking is harmful to health and increases the risk of many malignancies such as lung cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. So, does smoking increase the risk of esophageal cancer? The answer is yes.
Smoking raises the risk of esophageal cancer
Smoking is a risk factor for the development of esophageal cancer. Tobacco contains more than 4,000 chemicals, most of which are carcinogens, including nicotine in particulate form, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, and carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde in the gas phase. In the process of smoking, many carcinogens such as benzo(a)pyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydroxyl and dimethylnitrosamine in cigarette smoke and tar will not only enter the esophagus with food and saliva, but also damage esophageal cells thus inducing cancer. In addition, some of the metabolites of carcinogens (such as dimethylnitrosamines) absorbed through airway, skin and mucous membrane contact can also promote gene mutation and lead to cancer. A study that included 18,000 people found that long-term smokers (40 years) had more than a twofold increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to nonsmokers.
Smoking significantly increases mortality in patients with esophageal cancer
Smoking increases the risk of death from esophageal cancer
Smoking may lead to an increased risk of death from esophageal cancer after the disease. One study showed that patients with esophageal cancer who smoked had a 10% increased risk of death compared with nonsmokers. Therefore, to ensure prognosis, patients with esophageal cancer should quit smoking promptly.
Smoking and drinking reinforce each other and increase the risk of death by nearly 10 times
Smoking can not only lead to a higher risk of death from esophageal cancer by itself, but it can also interact with alcohol consumption to increase the risk of death in patients with esophageal cancer even more significantly. A study that included 100,000 people found that patients with esophageal cancer who started smoking before age 20 and who drank alcohol daily had a 9.33-fold increased risk of death compared with those with healthy habits. Therefore, for patients who both smoke and drink alcohol, the treatment is hard-won, so don’t let smoking and drinking make him lose his previous work, and it is recommended to start quitting smoking and drinking today.