UK has highest rate of gullet cancer in the world; obesity may be a risk factor

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

London: A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the UK has the highest rate of adenocarcinoma (AC) cancer in the world.

It says that men are about four times more likely to develop AC cancer than women in the UK.

A type of oesophageal cancer, AC cancer affects the food pipe or the gullet.

While smoking and drinking alcohol are considered to be the two biggest rick factors, obesity may be to blame for the disease.

“Obesity was one of the main risk factors for AC because of increased acid reflux and other factors,” Dr Melina Arnold, the lead author of the WHO study was quoted as saying to BBC.

Figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)- part of the WHO revealed that the UK has the highest rate of AC cancer in the world for both men and women.

“Men are also more likely to have a higher waist circumference, and these particular fat tissues produce hormones that have been suggested to increase the risk of AC,” said Dr Arnold.

She also said there is no clear scientific evidence explaining why are men more likely to develp the disease than women.

Meanwhile, National Obesity Forum spokesman Tam Fry said the deaths in the UK from gullet cancer were “a tragedy” and should be seen as a warning that obesity can lead to “devastating conditions”.