Esophagus Cancer & Hot Tea
Last Updated: Aug 16, 2013 | By
Esophagus cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus. The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. You are at high risk for esophagus cancer if you smoke, drink heavily or have damage from chronic acid reflux. Research has shown that regular drinking of hot tea may increase the risk for esophagus cancer.
Cancer Risk
According to to a study published in March 2009 in the "British Medical Journal", drinking hot tea may increase your risk of a type of esophageal cancer called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Researchers conducted their study in northern part of Iran, which has a high rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. They found that esophageal cancer was eight times more common in people who drank hot tea on a regular basis.
Hot Tea and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of esophagus cancer in most parts of the world, according to Mayo Clinic. Squamous cells are thin cells that line the surface of your esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs in the middle of the esophagus. Drinking hot liquids such as hot tea irritates the esophagus and may cause squamous cells to mutate or develop errors in their DNA, leading to esophagus cancer.