Oesophageal cancer rates ‘much higher among men than women’

Men are almost three times more likely to get oesophageal cancer than women, according to new figures from Cancer Research UK.

The disease – which is the ninth most common cancer type in the UK – affects more than 5,600 men every year, compared to 2,800 women, making this one of the most significant gender disparities of any type of cancer.

According to the research, this difference can be partially explained by one particular type of oesophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma, which is linked to obesity as well as long-term acid heartburn or indigestion and rates of which have been steadily rising among men for years.

Dr Rebecca Fitzgerald, a Cancer Research UK scientist at the University of Cambridge, said: "Oesophageal cancer is on the rise and sadly the outlook for this disease remains poor. But we’re doing all we can to buck this trend."

This disease is more common among people who smoke, are overweight, drink alcohol and consume little fruit and vegetables.

Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 50 and over, with conditions such as acid reflux, inflammation of the oesophagus and Barrett's oesophagus all increasing the risk of contracting this cancer.