OESOPHAGEAL CANCER – COULD YOU SPOT THE WARNING SIGNS?

[ DID YOU KNOW that only 2% of people can correctly identify the main oesophageal cancer symptoms?

Despite being one of the least survivable cancers - awareness of symptoms is dangerously low for this killer and early diagnosis is key for the best chance of survival.

But what to look out for?

• Excessive heartburn or indigestion for

• three weeks or more

• Difficulty or pain in swallowing food

• Persistent hiccups and/or ongoing

• weight loss

The best advice is to take action and see your GP for reassurance or treatment.

Heartburn Cancer UK to as many people as we can and raising awareness as we go.”

Heartburn Cancer UK was set up by Mimi McCord in 2003, following the tragic death of her husband Michael from oesophageal cancer.

Michael died in 2002 at just 47 years old. He had been experiencing heartburn for a number of years and antacids had been a regular item in the family shopping basket each week. It was only when he was struggling to swallow his toast one Saturday morning that Mimi suggested he speak with their doctor. He was referred to a gastroenterologist, sent for an endoscopy and diagnosed with cancer. Michael died at home just nine weeks later.

His devastating and untimely death, like many others, may have been prevented if he had known about the dangers of persistent heartburn and its link to oesophageal cancer.

The seemingly harmless symptom is often treated with over-the-counter remedies because people are unaware of the risks. The charity’s mission is to raise public awareness of the dangers of ignoring persistent heartburn and to urge people to seek advice from their GP. If your heartburn is persistent and happens most days for three weeks or more, Heartburn Cancer UK says, you should get it checked.

They also provide information and support to patients and their families living with reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus (a precancerous condition) and oesophageal cancer, and support research to help increase early diagnosis, improve patient outcomes and ultimately help save lives.

Around 8,000 people die in the UK every year from oesophageal cancer – that’s 22 deaths every day. It is the seventh biggest cancer killer, with an appalling prognosis of only 15% of patients surviving for five years.

Oesophageal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in males. Currently, 70% of cases are discovered too late for curative treatment with the most common early symptom being persistent heartburn: Heartburn Cancer UK hopes to be able to change that with the help of its supporters.

Mimi told us: “The key to challenging these appalling stats is early diagnosis. Excitingly, we are currently partnered in a pilot project which introduces an innovative screening test, the CytospongeTM, into primary care: initially in East Anglia, Essex and Suffolk where the project will screen 1,500 at-risk patients with the use of a mobile diagnostic unit supplied by Heartburn Cancer UK.

“The CytospongeTM test is 50% less costly than the current hospital-based alternative, the endoscopy, and has been shown to identify 10 times as many cases of concern as current primary routine care. It is our aim to help introduce a wider screening service, in a variety of geographical areas, bringing access to this potentially life-saving test

Heartburn Cancer UK are delighted to be celebrating 20 years as a charity in 2023, with Mimi just as passionate about raising awareness and helping to save lives today as she was 20 years ago.

Donations from supporters are more important than ever to help continue their vital work and there are lots of ways people can make a difference.

Said Mimi: “Help us celebrate our 20 years as a charity in 2023 and participate in a challenge – maybe something that’s been on your bucket list for a while – and you can help raise funds for us at the same time. Consider a donation, setting up a regular payment to us or a legacy gift. You could even do something as simple as select us as your charity on Amazon or Easy-Fundraising and every time you shop you could help support us by just buying something and not spending a penny more.”

No matter how large or small, said Mimi, every penny can help make a difference.

She added: “After 20 years of seeing no change in earlier diagnosis, the CytospongeTM could really make a difference and we want to continue to support its journey into everyday care in any way we can. Along with vital awareness about not ignoring persistent heartburn problems that trouble you regularly, we are determined to continue making a difference and help save lives.

“If you have persistent heartburn, getting checked by your doctor will help give you peace of mind or put you on the path to a far better prognosis if there is a problem.” q

• For more information about the charity, or how to donate, visit the website at www.heartburncanceruk.org