Charities promoting earlier diagnosis of oesophageal (gullet) cancer
According to recent data from Digestive Cancers Europe, analysed by Action Against Heartburn for Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month, the UK’s incidence of this often fatal disease surpasses that of almost all European countries, underscoring the urgent need for increased awareness, research, and support for those affected.
The data shows that the UK has 14.2 cases of oesophageal cancer per 100,000 people compared to 3.5 in Italy, 4.4 in Spain, 7.0 in France and 7.7 in Germany. The highest rate is the Netherlands which is only slightly worse than the UK at 14.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Oesophageal cancer affects the food pipe connecting the throat to the stomach. There are around 9,200 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year and the causes are often unclear, but sometimes can be related to lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or being overweight. It is often diagnosed in the advanced stages due to vague initial symptoms, leading to poor outcomes for patients.
Fewer than 20% of people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK will survive their cancer for more than 5 years.
In a nutshell:
- A healthy digestion system needs strong acid in your stomach
- The lining of your stomach is designed to cope with this acid
- The lining of your oesophagus CANNOT cope with the acid
- If stomach acid comes up past the valve into your oesophagus it can be painful (heartburn)
- Prolonged exposure to the acid can damage the cells of your oesophagus lining
- This can eventually lead to cancer.
The Action Against Heartburn Campaign says:
- Consult your GP if you have:
- persistent heartburn (acid reflux, often at night) - ie for three weeks or more
- persistent indigestion, for three weeks or more
- persistent hiccups or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
- difficulty or pain in swallowing food
- unexplained weight loss
- Do not keep taking over-the-counter indigestion remedies month after month without consulting your GP to investigate underlying causes (which most frequently will be less serious than cancer)
- GPs should consider a review of patients taking prescription remedies for reducing stomach acid after an appropriate period
- Better diagnosis of Barrett's Oesophagus is important
- An endoscopic examination that takes biopsy samples is the main method of detecting Barrett's Oesophagus or oesophageal cancer. This should be available for people of any age with worrying symptoms. More recently, however, a Cytosponge test can indicate Barrett's Oesophagus or other problems.
- Diet, obesity, stress, tobacco and alcohol may contribute to acid reflux, and there are good reasons for us to address these issues even if they do not contribute to us developing cancer.
Radio ad 49389 Action Against Heartburn.[...]
MP3 audio file [1.1 MB]