Oral and Throat Health at Risk: The Relationship Between Hot Tea and Esophageal Cancer

According to SAEDNEWS, Dr. Arman Abdi, a subspecialist in gastroenterology and hepatology in adults and a faculty member at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, stated that esophageal cancer is one of the diseases of the digestive system. He added that many patients do not notice the disease until advanced stages, because early symptoms are either mild or mistaken for simple digestive problems.

He explained that continuous consumption of very hot liquids, especially tea, causes repeated thermal injury to the esophageal mucosa. Over time, these repeated injuries can lead to chronic inflammation, cellular changes, and ultimately an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

According to the gastroenterology subspecialist, when this factor is combined with other risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, gastric reflux, and chronic psychological stress, the risk of developing the disease significantly increases.

Stress; a hidden but effective factor in digestive diseases
He emphasized the role of stress in gastrointestinal diseases, stating that chronic stress weakens the immune system. One of the main functions of the immune system is to identify and eliminate abnormal cells that are produced daily in the body. When the immune system is under stress, this vital function is impaired, making the body more susceptible to diseases, including cancers.

The role of antioxidants and the immune system
Abdi added that antioxidants, by reducing harmful oxidative factors in the body, help strengthen the immune system. A healthy immune system plays an important role in preventing the progression of gastrointestinal diseases, and its weakness can pave the way for malignancies.

Bloating and reflux; warning signs of esophageal cancer
He noted that bloating or reflux alone are not direct causes of esophageal cancer, but if persistent, they can act as warning signs or aggravating factors for chronic esophageal damage. Long-term gastric acid reflux, especially in overweight individuals, can lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus.

Warning symptoms that should not be ignored
The faculty member of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences emphasized that in the digestive system, some symptoms are considered “warning signs” and require immediate evaluation. These include difficulty swallowing food, pain during swallowing, food regurgitation, unexplained weight loss, anemia, vomiting blood, black stools, or gastrointestinal bleeding. The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing, where the patient feels that food gets stuck in the esophagus and does not go down without water.

Self-medication; a cause of delayed diagnosis
The gastroenterologist warned against self-medication, stating that some patients delay diagnosis by using digestive drugs on their own or by seeking medical care too late. Medication may reduce symptoms, but it does not treat the underlying disease and delays diagnosis.

Early diagnosis, chance of complete treatment
He stated that with early diagnosis, esophageal cancer can be completely treatable and in some cases controlled without major surgery. However, in advanced stages where cancer cells have spread, treatment becomes very difficult and sometimes only palliative.

Smoking, alcohol, and poor diet
He identified smoking as one of the most important risk factors for esophageal cancer and added that alcohol consumption also plays a major role in gastrointestinal cancers, and there is currently no safe level of alcohol consumption.

He further stated that excessive consumption of processed, smoked, and pickled foods due to nitrite content increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Finally, he emphasized that avoiding very hot tea, improving lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, proper nutrition, stress management, and timely medical consultation in case of warning symptoms can play an effective role in preventing gastrointestinal diseases, especially esophageal cancer.