The number of men with esophageal cancer in 2010 is double what it was for the last three decades in Britain, according to the Cancer Research UK. There was only an 8 percent rise in women.

Scientists attributed the increase to the high fat diet of many British men.

"We think the obesity epidemic may be a big reason behind the increase. We know that being overweight significantly increases the risk of adenocarcinoma -- the main type of oesophageal cancer that's on the up," said Janusz Jankowski of Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, whose research was backed by the charity.

"Our changing diets are also likely to be influencing the rise, with people eating less fruit and vegetables," Jankowski told Reuters.

Only 8 percent of people diagnosed with esophageal cancer in Britain survive for more than five years.