LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zapping away abnormal, precancerous cells in the throat may lower the risk of later developing esophageal cancer, the first major study to test this technique finds.

In a study of 127 people suffering from a heartburn-related problem known as Barrett's esophagus, only about one percent who had a procedure that uses heat to burn off precancerous spots went on to develop cancer over the next year. That's compared with more than nine percent of those who got a fake treatment in which no cells were destroyed.

Barrett's esophagus occurs when stomach acid backs up into the throat, causing the normal lining to be replaced by abnormal growth. Barrett's sufferers are 30 times more likely than others to develop esophageal cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease.

Scientists do not know what causes esophageal cancer, but some suspect smoking, drinking and obesity may play a role. The American Cancer Society estimates 16,470 people will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and incidence has been rising.