Doctor Oz did a Cancer Prevention Clinic on the Dr Oz show, and I am sure that he will save another life or two by raising cancer awareness. Cancer is a life threatening disease that many people (including me!) fear the most. Dr Oz had three other doctors who beat cancer on his show: Dr Dara Richardson-Heron, a breast cancer survivor, Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, a skin cancer melanoma survivor, and Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, a brain cancer survivor.
Dr Oz was asked if drinking alcohol is connected to Esophageal Cancer. Alcohol is most definitely associated with Esophageal cancer. The worst is when your drink and smoke together. Dr Oz did a fascinating illustration to show that your esophagus lining has cells that secrete a mucus to lubricate foods as they go down into your stomach. The esophagus leads into your stomach, where there are acids that sometimes splash up into your esophagus. When the acid from your stomach goes into your esophagus, it burns away the cells in the esophagus lining. Thus, your esophagus gets inflamed and this can lead to cancer. Esophageal Cancer, if untreated, can then go into your lymph nodes, then to your liver and eventually even to your brain.
David Servan-Schreiber said that alcohol creates inflammation in our bodies, and by definition, cancer needs inflammation to stimulate the multiplication of cells. So you want to reduce the inflammation in your body through things like good nutrition, physical activity and managing your stress levels. Dr Oz also said that Acid Reflux disease can lead to Esophageal Cancer as well, which makes sense since the acid in the stomach is repeatedly burning your esophagus. Apparently, antacids cannot help Acid Reflux patients from preventing Esophageal Cancer.
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