Who Gets Esophageal Cancer?

• In 2018, 860 new cases of esophageal cancer were diagnosed in Ohio, accounting for 1.3% of invasive cancer cases reported that year.
• Esophageal cancer rates were: 5X higher among Ohio men than women. In Ohio, esophageal cancer was most frequently diagnosed among older adults (ages 65 to 74).

Esophageal Cancer Deaths

• In 2019, 756 deaths from esophageal cancer occurred in Ohio.
• In Ohio, esophageal cancer death rates among Blacks decreased, while rates among whites were relatively stable from 2010 to 2019.

Stage at Diagnosis* and Survival

• 35% of esophageal cancer cases in Ohio were diagnosed at the latest (distant) stage in 2013-2017.
• 47% of people diagnosed with local stage esophageal cancer that has not spread beyond the esophagus SURVIVE 5 YEARS.
• Only 5% of people diagnosed with distant stage esophageal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body SURVIVE 5 YEARS.

*in situ – cancer is noninvasive; local – cancer is confined to primary site;

regional – cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes;

distant – cancer has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body).

Risk Factors for Esophageal Cancer

• Tobacco. More than half of esophageal cancer deaths are due to cigarette smoking.
• Alcohol. Drinking alcohol and smoking combined increases the risk of esophageal cancer even more than using either alone.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux may irritate the esophagus and, over time, cause a disease of the lower esophagus known as Barrett’s esophagus.
• Overweight or obesity.

To lower your risk for esophageal cancer:

• Don’t smoke or quit if you do. For help quitting tobacco, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
• Keep a healthy weight.

For more information, see Esophageal Cancer in Ohio, 2013-2017, available on the ODH Cancer Data and Statistics webpage.

Sources: Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System and Bureau of Vital Statistics, Ohio Department of Health; SEER Program, National Cancer Institute.