The UK has the highest rate of oesophageal cancer in Europe, new figures show.According to a league table of cancer rates compiled by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), about 6.4 in every 100,000 people in the UK develop the disease every year.
This compares with the European average of 3.3 in every 100,000 people - a fact that experts believe may be down to the UK's high levels of alcohol consumption and obesity.
Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science at the WCRF, said: 'The fact that the UK has the highest rate of oesophageal cancer in Europe is a real concern because it is a type of cancer that has a particularly low survival rate.'
The expert also noted that oesophageal cancer is 'particularly preventable', as the majority of cases could be avoided by eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
She added: 'We need to get the message across that people can make a big difference to their risk of oesophageal cancer risk by making relatively straightforward lifestyle changes.'
Another lifestyle change that Britons should endeavour to make is not eating too much red and processed meat.
According to the WCRF, there is now 'convincing' evidence that both red and processed meat increase the risk of bowel cancer and the charity advises people to limit consumption to 500g (cooked weight) of red meat a week, and to avoid processed meat altogether.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/uks-oesophageal-cancer-rate-highest-in-europe--id801211596-t116.html
