{"id":378000,"date":"2026-04-13T22:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/378000\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T22:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:24:07","slug":"hot-drinks-and-heartburn-could-be-raising-your-cancer-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/378000\/","title":{"rendered":"Hot drinks and heartburn could be raising your cancer risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Esophageal cancer<\/a> is on the rise in the United States, and experts say everyday habits may be playing a larger role than many people realize.<\/p>\n

\u201cEsophageal cancer often develops quietly over time, which is why prevention and early awareness are so important,\u201d says Aaron Saunders, MD<\/a>, chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Loma Linda University Health.<\/p>\n

\nDiet and daily habits play a role\n<\/p>\n

While no single factor causes esophageal cancer, Saunders says a combination of diet and lifestyle patterns can increase risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a strong correlation with obesity, and many of the same factors that contribute to obesity can also injure and inflame the esophagus,\u201d says Saunders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Diet is one of the most important places to start. Even something as simple as how hot a drink is can matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsistently drinking beverages at very high temperatures can burn the lining of the esophagus, and over time that repeated injury can lead to damage and mutation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Tobacco and alcohol use also remain major contributors, particularly when combined, while diets high in pickled or preserved foods may add additional risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not about eliminating everything,\u201d Saunders says. \u201cIt\u2019s about understanding the risk and making more balanced choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nA common condition that can lead to cancer\n<\/p>\n

One of the most significant and often overlooked risk factors is chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a clear shift,\u201d says Saunders. \u201cEsophageal adenocarcinoma now accounts for about two-thirds of esophageal cancer cases in countries like the U.S., and overall, rates are increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over time, untreated reflux can damage the esophagus and lead to Barrett\u2019s esophagus, a condition that increases cancer risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat process happens gradually; ongoing injury leads to changes in the cells, and over time those changes can become cancer,\u201d Saunders says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many patients may be able to manage symptoms with medication and without further evaluation, which in turn can delay detection.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes people stay on medications even if symptoms aren\u2019t fully controlled, and that can lead to missed opportunities to catch early changes,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\nSymptoms often start subtly\n<\/p>\n

Early warning signs can be easy to dismiss, but recognizing them is critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cDifficulty swallowing is one of the most important symptoms,\u201d Saunders says. \u201cPatients often feel like food is getting stuck, and it can progress from solid foods to softer foods and even liquids.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Persistent heartburn and unexplained weight loss should also prompt evaluation, typically through an endoscopy.<\/p>\n

\nWhy early detection matters\n<\/p>\n

When caught early, esophageal cancer can sometimes be treated with minimally invasive procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the tumor is limited to the inner lining, it may be possible to remove it endoscopically,\u201d Saunders says. \u201cBut it tends to become more serious fairly quickly, and treatment may then require surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even with advances in care, outcomes can be more challenging than other common cancers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe treat with curative intent whenever possible,\u201d he says. \u201cBut early detection is key.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nComprehensive care close to home\n<\/p>\n

At Loma Linda University Health, treating esophageal cancer involves a coordinated, team-based approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost patients require multiple types of treatment, so having a multidisciplinary team is essential,\u201d Saunders says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Care often includes surgeons, oncologists, and dietitians working together. That integrated approach allows for more personalized care, particularly in complex cases.<\/p>\n

\nReducing risk starts with awareness\n<\/p>\n

While risk cannot be eliminated entirely, Saunders says small, consistent changes can make a difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can reduce our risk, even if we can\u2019t eliminate it,\u201d he says. \u201cThat starts with understanding what contributes to disease and making informed choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing persistent heartburn or difficulty swallowing, talk to your doctor. To learn more about esophageal cancer care or to schedule an appointment, visit Loma Linda University Cancer Center<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Esophageal cancer is on the rise in the United States, and experts say everyday habits may be playing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":378001,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[134,111,139,69],"class_list":{"0":"post-378000","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-new-zealand","10":"tag-newzealand","11":"tag-nz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=378000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378000\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/378001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=378000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=378000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=378000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}