Although it's not possible to prevent all cases of esophageal cancer, the following lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk:

• Quit smoking. This may be the single most important thing you can do to prevent esophageal cancer and improve your overall health. Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens that can damage the DNA that regulates cell growth and is a leading cause of gastroesophageal reflux. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit, or contact the American Cancer Society for more information.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Many esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas result from heavy alcohol consumption over a period of years. Abstaining from alcohol or drinking in moderation - no more than one drink daily for women or two drinks daily for men - can greatly reduce your risk of this type of esophageal cancer.
• Get help for heartburn. Don't ignore severe or frequent heartburn. Your doctor can recommend medications and lifestyle changes that can help prevent gastric reflux. Sometimes drugs that inhibit acid formation may provide the relief you need. You may also be helped by waiting at least two to three hours after eating before lying down or exercising, and by elevating the head of your bed.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help protect against esophageal cancer. Aim for at least five fruits and vegetables daily. Choose whole-grain foods over processed or refined grain products. Limit the amount of red meat and processed meats that you consume.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being significantly overweight (obese) increases your risk of esophageal cancer as well as your risk of other serious health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week is considered the safest way to lose weight and keep it off. In many cases, you can lose weight by committing to eating a healthier diet, exercising and changing unhealthy behaviors.

Esophageal cancer is cancer of the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. Most esophageal cancers are either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Both types of cancer are found in the tissue that lines the inside of the esophagus. Squamous cell cancers occur in the upper part of the esophagus near the throat and adenocarcinomas occur in the lower part of the esophagus near the stomach. 

Significance of esophageal cancer 

The number of new cases of squamous cell cancers of the esophagus is declining. African American males are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus than are white males. The risk of this type of cancer increases with age for all racial/ethnic groups. 

The number of new cases of esophageal adenocarcinomas has risen over the past 2 decades. It has become more prevalent than squamous cell cancer of the esophagus in the United States and Western Europe. 

Esophageal cancer prevention 

The following risk factors and preventive factors may affect whether a person develops esophageal cancer: 

• Tobacco and Alcohol : Squamous cell cancer of the esophagus is strongly associated with tobacco and alcohol use. Studies have shown that avoiding tobacco and alcohol decreases the risk of developing esophageal cancer. 

• Diet: A diet with plenty of green and yellow fruits and vegetables and cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower) may lower the risk of developing squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. 

• Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs: Some studies have shown that the use of nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and other drugs that reduce fever, swelling, pain, and redness) is associated with a reduced risk of developing both squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. 

• Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Gastric Atrophy: Infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach lining, which may lead to a condition called gastric atrophy (cells that line the stomach are destroyed). This condition may increase the risk of developing squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. 

• Gastric Reflux and Barrett's Esophagus: Gastric reflux (the backing up of stomach contents into the lower section of the esophagus) may irritate the esophagus and, over time, cause Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus have changed or been replaced with abnormal cells that could lead to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. It is not known if surgery or other medical treatment to stop gastric reflux will reduce the risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.