Oesophageal cancer is becoming more common in Europe and North America. In the UK, around 8,750 people are diagnosed with it each year.
We do not know exactly what causes oesophageal cancer. But we know that certain things called risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing it. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get oesophageal cancer. Equally, if you do not have any risk factors, it does not mean you will not get oesophageal cancer.