Frequent heartburn may alert you to laryngeal cancer

Many people think of heartburn as gastritis, esophagitis and other digestive tract diseases. However, a new study reminds us that frequent heartburn increases the risk of laryngeal cancer by nearly 80%.

Researchers from Brown University in the United States surveyed 631 patients, of whom 468 had laryngeal cancer and 163 had vocal cord cancer. All patients were asked to take detailed questionnaires about their history of symptoms such as heartburn, as well as their smoking and drinking habits. The results showed that among patients who were neither smokers nor alcoholics, those with frequent heartburn symptoms had a 78% increased risk of laryngeal cancer and vocal cord cancer. However, among patients who often had heartburn, taking antacids reduced the risk of laryngeal cancer and vocal cord cancer by 41%.

Dr. Scott Langevin, the leader of the new study, said that heartburn is caused by stomach acid reflux into the esophagus, which is not dangerous in itself. Occasional heartburn causes "burns" to the esophageal cells, which usually heal on their own without special treatment. However, frequent heartburn can cause the formation of a cell protective layer in the esophagus, forming an abnormal columnar epithelial covering at the lower end of the esophagus (also known as "Barrett's esophagus"). This change will produce abnormal cells that can resist stomach acid and are more likely to become cancerous.

Experts warn that the number of people with heartburn has increased by about 50% in the past decade, and 5% to 7% of patients will develop esophageal cancer, which may be related to increased stress and changes in eating habits. In order to reduce the risk of cancer, everyone should pay attention to changing bad living habits, avoid smoking and drinking, and reduce the intake of high-fat foods, spicy foods, and caffeinated beverages.