Expert of this article: Yang Chao, MD, Rocket Force Special medical center, attending physician
Reviewer of this article: Chen Haixu, Deputy Director of the Second Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Master Supervisor
On December 12, the famous actor Tu Men died of esophageal cancer at the age of 61.
According to media reports, Tu men were diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer last month.
Esophageal cancer is no stranger to us, it is a common gastrointestinal tumor, its incidence ranks 8th in the world, and about 300,000 people die of esophageal cancer every year in the world.
Why is the incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer so high? And how to prevent it?
What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
China is a high incidence of esophageal cancer in the country, the average annual disease deaths of about 150,000 people, different regions of esophageal cancer incidence has significant geographical differences, China's Taihang Mountains, Dabie Mountains, Sichuan Nanchong, Yanting, Henan Linxian and other areas of high incidence of esophageal cancer, rural areas higher than the city.
The onset of the disease is more common in men than in women, and the age of onset is mostly over 40 years.
There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of esophageal cancer, and some people will show a choking sensation and foreign body sensation of swallowing food, and poststernal burning, needle-like or traction-friction pain.
Typical symptoms of esophageal cancer are progressively worsening dysphagia, starting with difficulty swallowing dry foods, followed by semi-liquid foods, and finally water and saliva that cannot be swallowed.
Why is the incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer so high?
Esophageal cancer has an insidious onset, and most of the population is diagnosed in the middle and advanced stages. The main pathological type of esophageal cancer in China is squamous cell carcinoma, which is often located in the middle of the esophagus, followed by the lower segment, and the lowest in the upper segment.
There is currently no good and effective treatment, and the prognosis is poor. The 5-year survival rate of esophageal cancer in China is only 20.9%.
Who are at high risk for esophageal cancer?
The incidence of esophageal cancer has a certain relationship with the region, living environment, eating habits, education level, occupation and genetic factors. Generally speaking, the main groups prone to esophageal cancer are the following:
People who are used to eating sauerkraut and pickled foods.
These foods contain nitrosamine compounds, which are strong carcinogens that have been recognized worldwide.
Like to eat hot food, eat too fast, but also easy to stimulate the mucosa of the esophagus, resulting in cancer.
People who consume too much smoked food.
Smoked fish, meat, sausages and other foods contain harmful substances such as benzopyrene, which increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
People who like to eat rough food, lack trace elements such as molybdenum, zinc, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, iron, etc., and are malnourished.
People who smoke and drink alcohol for a long time.
How to stay away from esophageal cancer?
1. Develop a good lifestyle, eat less and more meals, chew slowly, do not eat too hot food, avoid eating moldy and moldy rice, noodles, peanuts and other foods and overnight meals, while reducing the intake of strong tea, coffee, spirits and other irritating diets.
2. Reasonable diet, pay attention to diet diversity, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.
3. Reduce the intake of pickled and smoked foods.
4, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, both men and women.
5. Popularize anti-cancer knowledge and improve cancer prevention awareness for high-risk groups in high-risk areas (over 40 years old, from areas with high incidence of esophageal cancer, family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer or upper gastrointestinal symptoms, etc.).
How to screen for esophageal cancer early?
Endoscopy is one of the primary screening methods for early esophageal cancer in areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer.
It mainly includes ordinary electronic endoscopy, iodine stain endoscopy, ultrasound endoscopy, magnifying electronic endoscopy, etc., and biopsy of the most suspicious parts is carried out to confirm the diagnosis.
Screening and early detection and early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in high-risk groups can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer.