Oesophageal cancer hits young men hardest

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Health experts are alarmed by the rising number of young people being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, with men aged 40 years and below disproportionately affected.

“Men are more commonly affected than women, and we are increasingly seeing cases in younger individuals,” said Dr Jackson Orem, Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Dr Orem emphasised that oesophageal cancer deserves urgent attention because it is highly lethal, implying that the mortality rate is high. He was addressing journalists at the Media Centre on July 11, 2025.

Understanding oesophageal cancer

Dr Orem described oesophageal cancer as a disease that develops in the oesophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

Often, oesophageal cancer shows no symptoms in the early stages. As the tumour grows, common signs such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), persistent heartburn or indigestion, and weight loss appear. Other symptoms include pain or discomfort in the chest, throat, or upper abdomen; a persistent cough or hoarseness; and food coming back up after eating.

Driving factors

Studies reveal that excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use (both chewing and smoking), air pollution, and drinking very hot beverages over time are among the factors that may cause oesophageal cancer.

Additionally, consuming an unhealthy diet low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, said Dr Alfred Jatho, head of the Community Cancer Services Department at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

Notably, studies have also shown that people living in poorly ventilated houses and cooking indoors with firewood are more prone to developing the disease. This is particularly concerning as about 80% of Ugandans live in rural areas without access to clean energy sources such as electricity or gas for cooking.

According to Dr Jatho, firewood smoke increases exposure to irritants that continuously inflame the oesophagus, thereby raising the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Oesophageal cancer remains one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers if not diagnosed early, he added. The challenge is that most patients seek treatment only when the disease is advanced and symptoms like difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and chest pain are already severe.

He estimated that about 75% of oesophageal cancer patients seek medical care at stages three or four, which greatly reduces their chances of recovery.

Creating awareness

Raising public awareness through education about cancer is crucial.

Early detection is key

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer often go unnoticed or are mistaken for other conditions, such as ulcers or throat infections. To avoid misdiagnosis, Dr Jatho urged the public to seek medical attention if they experience persistent swallowing difficulties, unexplained weight loss, or chronic chest or back pain.

“When diagnosed early, oesophageal cancer can be effectively treated through surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments, which can save lives,” he said.

There are notable success stories of people who developed oesophageal cancer, received treatment, and are now healthy and productive.

Prevention tips

Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Avoid tobacco use (smoking, chewing, etc).

Eat a variety of healthy foods, including adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Avoid consuming extremely hot foods or drinks.

Avoid smoke-filled environments; cook food in well-ventilated kitchens and adopt clean energy sources like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or electricity for cooking.

Report persistent swallowing difficulties and related symptoms early.

The cancer burden

Cancer is emerging as a serious health issue in Uganda that demands urgent attention. Each year, approximately 46,000 new cases are recorded, and about 25,000 people succumb to the disease—an unacceptably high mortality rate of around 54%.

Meanwhile, access to cancer services stands at only 22%, meaning that for every 100 people newly diagnosed with cancer, only 22 receive care. Although this is an improvement from 4% fifteen years ago, it remains critically low.