Oesophageal cancer is now the deadliest in Kenya, causing 15% of cancer deaths—higher than breast (13%) and cervical (11%), a new report by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya says.

Oesophageal cancer is mainly caused by:

Lifestyle factors – smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, very hot drinks, poor diet.

Medical conditions – chronic acid reflux (GERD), Barrett’s oesophagus, achalasia, oesophageal injury, HPV infection.

Other risks – older age, gender(Male sex), family history, and living in high-risk regions.