Drinking while overweight increases the risk of developing two of the most common types of esophageal cancer, nutritional experts have warned.
A report by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute of Cancer Research also found that a third of esophageal cancer cases in United States, almost 5,600 per year, can be prevented if people maintain a healthy weight and minimise alcohol consumption.
Researchers reviewed 46 studies which involved more than 15 million adults, including 31,000 adults who have already developed the disease.
Head of nutrition at AICR, Alice Bender, said that the findings add to the mounting evidence that lifestyle plays a powerful role in cancer risk.
"Obesity is now linked to 11 types of cancer and alcohol links to six," she stated. "We want individuals to know [they] can take important lifestyle steps to reduce risk for many kinds of cancer."
For every 5 point growth in the body mass index, there is an increased risk by almost 48% for esophageal adenocarcinoma, which usually develops in lower esophageal, the research revealed. Almost 60% of all esophageal cases in the US have been recorded as adenocarcinoma.
Cancer specialists were not surprised by this new finding.
Dr. Anthony Starpoli, who helps to direct esophageal endotherapy at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that the tremendous rise in esophageal cancer has paralleled the obesity epidemic.
It was also reported that with every 10 grams consumption of alcohol, there will be 25 percent increase in the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.