Oesophageal cancer symptoms: How to spot this early sign that appears while eating food

Oesophagus is the food pipe that connects your mouth to your stomach. Oesophageal cancer can be located anywhere in your oesophagus and is considered the seventh most common cancer.

There are various symptoms linked to oesophageal cancer which can be difficult to identify as signs of cancer because of their generic nature. However, it is important to be able to recognise these symptoms timely so as to seek immediate treatment as this type of cancer claims thousands of lives yearly. The main symptom of oesophageal cancer, which also acts as an early warning sign, is dysphagia or having problems in swallowing.

If you face difficulties in eating your food such as choking or coughing whenever you eat or drink, it could be a sign of dysphagia which is the most common symptom of oesophageal cancer.

Sometimes, the food comes back up through the nose or mouth after trying to swallow. When you lie down then it makes it easier for the food to travel back up into the oesophagus, which can worsen the symptom.

It can also create difficulty in chewing food properly. This in turn will make you try to swallow food which hasn’t been chewed properly, causing more pain or discomfort. You may also have a feeling that something is stuck in your throat.

You might not notice dysphagia immediately as it is usually mild in the beginning. However, as the cancer grows, it usually gets worse and more painful as the opening in the oesophagus will get smaller.

Read more: Dementia: The early signs that may seem too 'common'

Many symptoms of oesophageal cancer are usually dismissed by the sufferers as something not serious which might recover on its own. However, if you are experiencing dysphagia or any other of the below mentioned symptoms for longer than a couple of weeks, then you should speak to your doctor.

Apart from difficulty in swallowing, other symptoms of this cancer include nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, heartburn, cough, loss of appetite, tiredness, pain in the chest and hoarse voice.

Read more: Coronavirus explainer: COVID strains that could be driving the current surge in India

There are a number of healthy and positive lifestyle changes you can do to cut your risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Avoiding smoking, tobacco and alcohol are the most important factors and the first steps you should take if you use any of them.

Apart from this, it is important to eat a healthy and nutritious diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Adding a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet is going to benefit you in both the short and long run. Note that you are not obese or overweight. Maintain a healthy weight by getting regular exercise and eating a balanced, healthy diet.