I thought my stomach pain was from giving birth... it was actually an aggressive form of colon cancer
The 37-year-old from China visited her local hospital after suffering abdominal pain and constipation for 12 days.
She had just had given birth via C-section one month prior and had no other pre-existing conditions.
A CT scan revealed an apple-sized mass in her descending colon, the longest part of the large intestine.
Doctors also found multiple lesions in the intestinal wall, lymph nodes and small intestine, suggesting advanced stage colon cancer that had formed during her pregnancy.
The anonymous woman was diagnosed with primary colorectal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which makes up less than one percent of all colon cancers.
Her disease was also considered a 'postpartum cancer,' meaning it formed between the start of pregnancy and up to a year after giving birth.
Doctors writing in a medical journal this week said that because the most tell-tale signs of colorectal cancer are rectal bleeding and abdominal pain, the condition can easily be mistaken for normal pregnancy and postpartum symptoms, leading to later diagnosis and more difficulty treating the cancer.
It's unclear exactly why colorectal cancer may strike during pregnancy, but elevated levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone in pregnant women may trigger uncontrollable cell growth.
Experts estimate just 30 percent of patients with SCC survive five years after diagnosis.
The woman's case comes as 154,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year.
However, colon cancer is thought to occur in just one in every 50,000 pregnancies in the US, most likely because it usually affects people over 50, past their childbearing years.
But colon cancer is on the rise in younger people, with 20,000 Americans under 50 years old being diagnosed every year.
And the latest data shows early-onset colorectal cancer diagnoses in the US are expected to rise 90 percent in people 20 to 34 years old between 2010 and 2030.
Like more common forms of colon cancer, diet, sedentary lifestyle and conditions like diabetes and obesity can raise the risk of the disease by creating inflammation in the digestive tract, which leads to cell DNA damage and dangerous mutations forming.
It's unclear if the woman in the case report had other children or lived a sedentary lifestyle, but she was found to have a mutation in her BRAF gene, which caused her cells to grow out of control and turn cancerous.
The woman underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy and three sessions of abdominal hemoperfusion, a procedure during which blood is removed and passed through cartilage to strip out toxins and immune proteins called cytokines.
She finished treatment in July 2022, seven months after her diagnosis, and had regular scans to look for recurrence. However, doctors found the cancer had returned in March 2023.
The patient died a year later in March 2024.
Colorectal squamous cell carcinoma develops from squamous cells rather than the more common adenocarcinoma cells.
SCC makes up between 0.25 and 0.5 percent of all colorectal tumors and is generally diagnosed significantly later than adenocarcinomas, and there is no specific treatment plan for it.
Doctors treating her wrote that SCC is slightly more common in woman and the average age at diagnosis is 67, making the woman in the report an early-onset case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Father-of-two, 39, thought stomach pain was from 'dodgy sausage' at BBQ... but it was colon cancer - doctors gave him 'months to live'
The first sign something was wrong for Matt Eamer came just days after a family barbeque, celebrating his son's second birthday. The then 39-year-old father-of-two from Redhill, Surrey, dismissed the sudden 'spiky' stomach pain as food poisoning. 'I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage,' he said. But his pain escalated quickly. After a rushed trip to A&E he was sent home with anti-nausea medication Buscopan, yet still felt dreadful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital where scans revealed a 'big blockage' in his large intestine. Surgeons removed two-thirds of his bowel in an emergency op. 'A few days later they confirmed it was cancer,' Matt said. The diagnosis was stage four bowel cancer. The disease had already spread to his liver and the lining of his abdomen, and further tests revealed a rare BRAF mutation which drives tumours to grow at speed. 'I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said, "the plan for your diagnosis has changed… we're talking months not years from a survival point of view",' Matt recalled of the events in September 2020. On his 40th birthday he was told standard chemotherapy had failed and surgeons found the cancer had advanced further. 'It was a very dramatic, movie-like point,' he said. 'It was a pivotal change. They said, "we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs." My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor.' Matt began fortnightly Cetuximab infusions combined with four daily Encorafenib pills, new immunotherapy drugs approved just months earlier. Designed to buy only 'three to six months', they had a remarkable effect. Within six months, scans showed no trace of cancer. Five years on, he is still clear and continues treatment. 'Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity,' he said. 'You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time.' In December 2024, he underwent a 14-hour surgery to remove cancerous tissue in his ribcage, followed by heated HIPEC chemotherapy. The disease had already spread to his liver and the lining of his abdomen, and further tests revealed a rare BRAF mutation which drives tumours to grow at speed. Again, scans showed 'things clear.' Matt, who runs his own design agency, continues working and raising his two children. 'The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and live longer, better lives even if it is stage four,' he said. He adds: 'The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. I spend more time looking at my kids' faces, taking them to a show or swimming in the sea — they are heightened. 'It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened.' To mark five years since his diagnosis, Matt will join Sir Chris Hoy's charity cycle in Glasgow on September 7, raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. 'It's marking a milestone in a meaningful, positive way,' he said. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers in both Britain and the United States. In the UK around 43,000 people are diagnosed every year, while in the US the figure is more than 150,000. It is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In older age groups incidence is declining thanks to better screening and awareness, yet in younger people rates are rising sharply, a trend baffling doctors. In England cases among those aged 25 to 49 have surged by around 3.6 per cent per year, one of the steepest increases in Europe, while in America rates in under-50s have been rising by about 2.4 per cent annually over the past decade. Outcomes depend heavily on how early the disease is caught. In the UK one-year survival is around 97 per cent if picked up through screening, but just 49 per cent if discovered in an emergency admission, as was the case for Matt. In the US five-year survival is 92 per cent at stage one but only 13 per cent at stage four. Most people with a diagnosis as advanced as Matt's do not reach the five-year mark, making his story unusual. Risk factors include family history, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, alcohol, smoking, and diets low in fibre and high in red or processed meats. Researchers are also examining the role of ultra-processed foods, though evidence remains inconclusive, and some studies point to gut bacteria toxins such as colibactin, found in food poisoning, as a possible trigger for early-onset cases. Screening programmes remain vital. In the US guidelines now recommend testing from age 45, while in the UK stool tests are currently offered from 56, with pilot schemes lowering the age to 50. Symptoms to watch for include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stools, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or bloating, and lumps in the abdomen. Doctors stress that catching the disease early saves lives. Patients diagnosed at stage one are several times more likely to survive long term than those at stage four. But as Matt's case shows, advances in treatment—from new targeted drugs to more effective surgery—are beginning to change what is possible, even in the most serious cases. For him, the experience has redefined life. 'The reality isn't bucket-list dolphins—it's the bucket and spade things,' he said.
Medical News Today
3 hours ago
- Medical News Today
Alprazolam IR oral tablet interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors
Alprazolam has possible interactions with alcohol, some other drugs, and certain supplements. Examples include medications for sleep and pain medications. Talk with your doctor to avoid potentially harmful effects from alprazolam is a generic drug prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults. Alprazolam is available as the brand-name drug interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than comes in different forms, and they have similar interactions. The forms are:immediate-release (IR) oral tablets (alprazolam IR tablets)orally disintegrating tabletsoral liquid solutionextended-release (ER) oral tabletsIR tablets release the drug into your body all at once. ER tablets release the drug into your body slowly, over a longer period of time. This article will focus on interactions for alprazolam IR tablets. You can talk with your doctor to learn more about other learning about possible alprazolam interactions, you can work with your doctor to ensure alprazolam will be safe and effective for you to take. For additional information about alprazolam, including details about its uses, see this alprazolam overview article. »Learn more about alprazolam IR tablet, including details about its interactions with other drugsBefore you start treatment with alprazolam, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. To learn whether alprazolam interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the 'Alprazolam and other interactions' you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or a table of drugs that can interact with alprazolam. Keep in mind this table doesn't include all drugs that may interact with alprazolam. Some of these interactions are described in detail in 'Drug interactions in depth.'Drug class or drug nameDrug examplesInteraction result with alprazolamdigoxin (Lanoxin)—can increase the risk of side effects of digoxinritonavir (Norvir)—can increase the risk of side effects of alprazolamopioids• buprenorphine (Sublocade, others)• codeine• fentanyl (Fentora, others)• hydrocodone (Hysingla ER)• morphine (MS Contin)• oxycodone (Roxicodone, others) • tramadolcan increase the risk of side effects of alprazolam and opioids other central nervous system (CNS) depressants• zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR)• cyclobenzaprine (Amrix)• amitriptyline• risperidone (Risperdal)• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)can increase the risk of side effects of alprazolam and other CNS depressantsCYP3A inhibitors (see 'When to avoid alprazolam' for details)• cimetidine (Tagamet HB) • clarithromycin• erythromycin• fluvoxamine• itraconazole (Sporanox)• ketoconazole• amlodipine (Norvasc)can increase the risk of side effects of alprazolam CYP3A inducers• carbamazepine• phenytoincan make alprazolam less effectiveWhen to avoid alprazolamIn some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing alprazolam due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The following are the contraindications of Before you start treatment with alprazolam, it's important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe medications that are strong CYP3A inhibitorsDoctors typically will not prescribe alprazolam in combination with drugs that are strong inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), an enzyme in your body that helps break down alprazolam. Drugs that are strong CYP3A inhibitors block or slow the action of this alprazolam with a strong CYP3A inhibitor can cause too much alprazolam to build up in your body. This interaction can raise your risk of developing serious alprazolam side effects, such as severe drowsiness or difficulty following drugs are examples of strong CYP3A inhibitors:clarithromycinitraconazole (Sporanox)ketoconazolenelfinavir (Viracept)posaconazole (Noxafil)voriconazole (Vfend)Before you start treatment with alprazolam, it's important to tell your doctor about any medications you take, including any of those listed. They can check whetehr it's safe to take alprazolam with your other that taking ritonavir, an antiviral drug, is not an alprazolam contraindication, even though it's considered a strong CYP3A inhibitor. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe alprazolam with ritonavir. However, they may prescribe a lower dosage of alprazolam than usual, monitor you closely for side effects, or had an allergic reaction to alprazolam or any of its ingredientsIf you have had an allergic reaction to other benzodiazepines or alprazolam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe alprazolam. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for interaction with alcohol Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not drink alcohol while taking alprazolam. They'll also usually advise you not to take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that contain alcohol during alprazolam alcohol and taking alprazolam may cause serious side effects, including:difficulty breathingsleepinessdecreased awarenessThe combination of alcohol and alprazolam may also, in some cases, lead to coma or even death. If you have concerns about avoiding alcohol while you're taking alprazolam, talk with your doctor before starting interactions in depthHere's a closer look at certain drug interactions of depressantsSome drugs can speed up the activity of your central nervous system (CNS), which includes your brain and spinal drugs can slow the activity of your CNS. Slow CNS activity can result in sleepiness and slowed breathing, among other effects. Drugs and substances that can slow the CNS are called CNS depressants, or sometimes 'sedatives.' As with other benzodiazepine drugs, alprazolam is a CNS alprazolam with other CNS depressants can increase the risk of certain side effects from alprazolam and CNS depressants. These side effects may include extreme drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and decreased are some examples of CNS depressants that may interact with alprazolam:sleeping pills, such as eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR)muscle relaxers, such as cyclobenzaprine (Amrix) and carisoprodol (Soma)tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and trazodoneantipsychotics, such as risperidone (Risperdal) and haloperidol (Haldol)certain antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine (Vistaril)opioids, such as codeine (see the following 'Note')alcoholNote: Alprazolam has a boxed warning about the risk of dangerous effects if taken with opioids. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about this interaction, see the boxed warnings section near the top of this you or your doctor may takeIf your doctor prescribes alprazolam and another CNS depressant, they may prescribe an alprazolam dosage that's lower than usual. They may also recommend only taking the combination for a short time. Do not take either drug in a higher dose or for a longer length of treatment than your doctor recommends.»Read about alternatives to Xanax for or moderate CYP3A inhibitorsAlprazolam can interact with drugs that are mild or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A, an enzyme that helps break down alprazolam. Mild or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A slow the action of this alprazolam with a mild or moderate CYP3A inhibitor can cause alprazolam to build up in your body. This interaction can raise your risk of serious side effects of alprazolam, such as drowsiness or difficulty are some examples of mild or moderate CYP3A inhibitors that may interact with alprazolam:certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycincertain antifungals, such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazolecimetidine (Tagamet HB)fluvoxaminecertain blood pressure medications, such as diltiazem (Cardizem) and amlodipine (Norvasc)Steps you or your doctor may takeYour doctor will usually avoid prescribing alprazolam with drugs that are mild or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. If you do take alprazolam with one of these drugs, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of alprazolam that's lower than usual. Do not take a higher dosage of either drug than your doctor Taking alprazolam with strong inhibitors of CYP3A is not advised. For details, see the section, 'When to avoid alprazolam.'DigoxinAlprazolam can interact with digoxin. Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a medication prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Taking alprazolam with digoxin can increase the level of digoxin in your body. This can raise the risk of side effects from digoxin. This interaction may be more likely to affect older adults (ages 65 years and older).Steps you or your doctor may takeIf you need to take both alprazolam and digoxin, your doctor may order a blood test to check your digoxin level before you start alprazolam. You may need to get your blood checked often, for as long as you're taking both medications, to make sure your digoxin level stays within a safe range while taking alprazolam. If your digoxin level becomes too high, your doctor will likely lower your dosage of and other interactionsAlprazolam may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests. Here are some potential interactions with alprazolam. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible alprazolam interactions with supplementsBefore you start treatment with alprazolam, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or interactions with herbsDoctors will typically recommend you avoid taking St. John's wort with alprazolam. St. John's wort is an herbal supplement that may be used for depression and other John's wort may speed up the activity of CYP3A4, an enzyme that helps break down alprazolam in your speeding up this enzyme, St. John's wort can cause alprazolam to break down more quickly. This may lead to a low level of alprazolam in your system. If the alprazolam level is too low, the drug may not work as well to manage your anxiety or panic disorder. This interaction may also lead to withdrawal symptoms (uncomfortable side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is used to).Your doctor may be able to suggest a treatment option other than St. John's wort.»Learn more: What happens when you stop taking benzodiazepines?Alprazolam interactions with vitamins There are no specific reports of vitamins or minerals interacting with alprazolam. However, that doesn't mean vitamin interactions won't occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with interactions with foodGrapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with alprazolam. Specifically, grapefruit products can stop your body from breaking down alprazolam. This raises the level of alprazolam in your body, which increases your risk of side effects from alprazolam. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend not consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking the may also interact with caffeine. Consuming caffeine while taking alprazolam could make alprazolam less effective. Foods and beverages that contain caffeine include:coffeeteachocolateenergy drinksBecause of this interaction, your doctor may recommend limiting how much caffeine you consume while taking alprazolam. Or they may recommend avoiding caffeine at certain times of day. For example, if you take alprazolam at bedtime, your doctor may recommend avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and you'd like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with alprazolam, talk with your interactions with vaccinesThere aren't any known interactions between alprazolam and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to check whether you're due for any interactions with lab testsAlprazolam isn't known to interact with lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBDCannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Xanax, the brand-name version of alprazolam. The combination can raise the risk of side effects from alprazolam and cannabis, such as you start treatment with Alprazolam, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying and health-related interactionsCertain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with alprazolam. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Alprazolam may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your conditions or factors that might interact with alprazolam include:Older age: If you're age 65 years or older, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of alprazolam that is lower than usual. This is because people in this age range may have a higher risk of side effects with this reaction: If you've had an allergic reaction to alprazolam, any of its ingredients, or other benzodiazepine drugs, your doctor will likely not prescribe alprazolam. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be a better option for problems: If you have lung problems, such as sleep apnea, you may have a higher risk of difficulty breathing while taking alprazolam. Talk with your doctor about any breathing problems you have to help determine whether this medication is safe for or kidney problems: If you have liver or kidney problems, alprazolam could stay in your system longer than usual. This can increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, such as alcohol-related liver disease. They may prescribe a lower dosage of alprazolam or recommend a different treatment option for There haven't been enough clinical trials to determine whether alprazolam is safe to take while pregnant. Some reports suggest that taking the drug during the later stages of pregnancy may cause serious side effects in a newborn. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting alprazolam. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not breastfeed while taking alprazolam. The drug may pass into breast milk. Some reports suggest that taking the drug while breastfeeding may cause serious side effects in a child who is breastfed. If you're breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking alprazolam. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child other than or operating machinery: Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not drive while taking alprazolam. The drug can reduce your ability to safely drive or operate of misuse, addiction, dependence, withdrawal, and opioid interaction: Alprazolam has several boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For details, see the boxed warnings at the top of this or mental illness: If you have depression, another mental health condition, or have had suicidal thoughts or behaviors, tell your doctor before starting alprazolam. People with these conditions may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors if they take alprazolam. Your doctor may take extra precautions to make sure alprazolam is safe for you, such as more frequent appointments to check on your mental health. Help is out thereIf you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/ HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/ in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do you're calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so you're not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help interactionsYou can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with alprazolam. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:Let them know if you drink alcohol or use them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill also important to read the alprazolam label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. The paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about alprazolam doesn't come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or can also help prevent interactions with alprazolam by taking it exactly as your doctor Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How you drink your morning coffee could increase your risk of cancer by up to SIX times
Your daily coffee habit could increase your risk of cancer up to nearly six times, startling research suggests. A study published earlier this year by researchers from the National Cancer Institute found that someone who drank eight or more cups a day of very hot tea or coffee was 5.6 times more likely to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), compared to someone who didn't drink hot drinks. Researchers used data from more than 500,000 participants included in the UK Biobank, who provided information around their consumption of hot drinks. Having up to four cups of 'very hot' liquids a day increased the risk of ESCC by 2.5 times. Four to six cups of very hot liquids carried a 3.7-times higher risk of the cancer, and six to eight cups was associated with 4.8-fold increased risk. For hot beverages, up to four cups a day carried an increased risk of 1.6 times. Four to six cups a day was associated with an increased cancer risk of two times; six to eight cups carried a 2.5-fold higher risk; and more than eight was associated with a three-times higher risk. The researchers said their findings, published in the British Journal of Cancer, build on previous research that suggests beverages at very hot temperatures, more than 149 degrees Fahrenheit, are 'probably carcinogenic to humans'. The ideal brewing temperature for coffee is generally between 195 to 205F. For tea, the optimal brewing temperature varies by type, but is often around 175 to 212F. This places hot beverages in the same risk category as things like emissions from indoor wood smoke or consuming high amounts of red meat. However, people typically drink coffee and tea at slightly cooler temperatures, often between 120 to 155F. It is believed that hot drinks might cause damage to the body by burning cells, which may lead to inflammation that damages genes and makes it more likely that cancer develops. Vincent Ho, associate professor and clinical academic gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University, wrote for The Conversation: 'Drinking a lot of very hot drinks can damage cells in the esophagus lining, and it's believed over time this can lead to cancer developing. Researchers first proposed this link almost 90 years ago. 'What we know about how hot drinks can damage the esophagus mainly comes from animal studies. 'Another theory is that heat damage to the esophagus lining weakens its normal barrier, increasing the risk of further damage from gastric acid reflux (from the stomach). 'Over time, this chronic damage can increase the chance of esophageal cancer developing.' It is also thought that tissues damaged by the hot liquids may become more vulnerable to other things that can cause cancer, like alcohol and chemicals in tobacco smoke. The team at the National Cancer Institute stated that 'individuals who like their beverages very hot might benefit from reducing the temperature of their drinks, at least with regards to their risk of esophageal cancer'. This year, experts predict more than 22,000 new esophageal cancer cases will be diagnosed with just over 16,000 deaths from the disease. Esophageal cancer starts at the inside lining of the esophagus and spreads outward through the other layers as it grows. Symptoms often include difficulty swallowing, unintended weight loss, and chest pain or discomfort. These symptoms can be subtle at first but tend to worsen as the cancer progresses. Other possible symptoms include a persistent cough, hoarseness, and heartburn that gets worse. While there aren't routine screening tests for esophageal cancer, various procedures can help diagnose it, including endoscopy with biopsy, imaging scans, and specialized tests like the Cytosponge. Endoscopy allows for direct visualization and tissue sampling, while imaging helps determine the extent of the cancer. The Cytosponge, a newer test, involves swallowing a sponge to collect cells for analysis. Sometimes, healthcare providers can do surgery to remove small tumors. However, because only 25 percent of people with this cancer receive a diagnosis before the cancer spreads, it can make it more difficult to treat. Esophageal cancer poses a challenge for early diagnosis because it often doesn't present with noticeable symptoms until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Late diagnosis significantly increases the danger of esophageal cancer. Localized esophageal cancer (stage I) has a five-year survival rate of around 46 percent, while stage IV cancers, which have spread to distant organs, have a very low five-year survival rate of only about five percent. A majority of Americans consume hot drinks daily. It is estimated that around two thirds drink coffee daily, making it the most popular hot beverage. According to one study in 2018, the ideal temperature for drinking coffee, taking into account both the risk of esophageal injury and the preservation of flavor, was found to be approximately 136F. Researchers said this temperature allows for a pleasant drinking experience while minimizing potential harm to the esophagus. Offering some other tips to safe drinking, Professor Ho adds: 'Slow down, take your time and enjoy. 'Allowing time for a very hot drink to cool is important and research has shown a hot drink's temperature can drop by 50F to 59F in five minutes. 'Finally, small sips are a good idea to test the temperature, given we know having a large amount has a significant impact on the temperature inside the esophagus and potential damage to its lining.'
