Cancer – oesophageal

Risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, age, Barrett’s oesophagus (a condition resulting from reflux from the stomach into the oesophagus), constriction of the lower portion of the oesophagus, high fat diet, consuming wood-smoked foods, frequent heartburn.

Symptoms: there are usually no symptoms until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage. Symptoms include dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing), vomiting, haemoptysis (vomiting blood), excessive mucous production and unintentional weight loss.