Men are almost three times more likely to get oesophageal cancer than women, which is one of the biggest gender gaps in cancer rates, according to figures released on Tuesday from Cancer Research UK.

The latest figures showed more than 5,600 men in the country develop oesophageal cancer every year, compared to 2,800 women. This equates to rates of almost 15 in 100,000 men getting the disease, compared to around 5 in 100,000 women. Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the country.

There are two main types of oesophageal cancer, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas. According to study, the difference between two genders' risk of oesophageal cancer seems to be caused mainly by adenocarcinoma, which is linked to obesity as well as long-term acid heartburn or indigestion.

"These figures show a worrying number of oesophageal cancers being diagnosed each year, particularly among men," said Tim Underwood, an oesophageal surgeon and researcher at the University of Southampton. "Diagnosing the disease earlier is key to improving the chances of survival."

"Food getting stuck when you swallow and persistent heart burn are not normal. If this is happening to you, you need to see your GP," he said. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)