Give up smoking
As well as being a significant risk factor for oesophageal cancer, smoking is also a major contributor to many serious diseases, such as heart disease and lung cancer, and it is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK.
If you decide to stop smoking, your GP will be able to refer you to an NHS Stop Smoking Service, which will provide you with dedicated help and advice about the best ways to give up smoking. You can also call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4332. The specially trained helpline staff can offer you free expert advice and encouragement.
If you are committed to giving up smoking but do not want to be referred to a stop smoking service, your GP should be able to prescribe medical treatment to help with any withdrawal symptoms that you may experience after quitting. See Treatment for quitting smoking and Live Well: stop smoking for more information about giving up.
Alcohol
Alcohol is another significant risk factor for oesophageal cancer, as well as for other serious conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and liver disease.
The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:
- 3-4 units of alcohol for men
- 2-3 units for women
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. For more information, see Live Well: alcohol.
Lose weight
If you need to lose excess weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help. If you are very overweight, or obese, losing weight will help to reduce your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus.
The most successful weight loss programmes include at least at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. cycling or fast walking) every week, eating smaller portions and only having healthy snacks between meals. A gradual weight loss of around 0.5kg (1.1lb) a week is usually recommended.
For more advice, see Treatment for obesity and Live Well: lose weight.
A low fat, high fibre diet that includes whole grains and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) is recommended. The healthy eating section of Live Well provides further information and advice about eating healthily.
