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The NHS has warned of signs that can appear when you eat of a killer cancer as new figures show the UK is grappling with far higher rates of this disease than most of Europe. The latest stats show that oesophageal cancer is particularly prevalent among Brits.
As its name suggests this disease affects the oesophagus - the pipe that connects your mouth to your stomach. It is a particularly dangerous cancer, as it is the 14th most common form of the disease in the UK but the seventh highest in terms of deaths.
According to Cancer Research UK, just 12 per cent of patients survive for 10 years. And overall, around 8,000 people in the UK die from the disease every year.
In line with Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February, campaigners are seeking to raise greater awareness of the condition as the latest statistics show the UK’s incidence of this often fatal disease surpasses that of almost all European countries.
Data analysed by Action Against Heartburn revealed 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. Jill Clark, chair of Action Against Heartburn, found these figures concerning.
She commented: "Oesophageal cancer is a serious problem in the UK and it needs to be addressed urgently. This data shows that UK incidence is over double that of France and four times higher than Italy.
“Early detection can save lives so it’s crucial that everyone knows the signs and the importance of seeking medical help.”
Symptoms
The NHS lists symptoms of oesophageal cancer to look out for including six that could appear when you eat food. These are:
- Having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- Feeling or being sick
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing.
Jill continued: “One of the common symptoms of oesophageal cancer is persistent heartburn. If you have heartburn on a daily basis, or if you continually have to take over-the-counter medication to relieve heartburn, you should see your GP to get a diagnosis of the underlying causes.”
Dr Sheraz Markar, professor at the University of Oxford and consultant oesophago-gastric surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “A major risk factor is persistent acid reflux, or heartburn, as well as Barrett’s oesophagus which is a condition where the cells lining the oesophagus have become damaged from stomach acid.
“In the UK oesophageal cancer is sadly, often diagnosed once it has advanced or spread which makes it more difficult to treat, but there are good treatment options if it is caught early. In addition to heartburn, the symptoms to look out for are difficulties swallowing, unexplained weight loss, ongoing indigestion and feeling or being sick.”
Other potential symptoms, as highlighted by the NHS, include:
- A cough that is not getting better
- A hoarse voice
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- Black poo or coughing up blood (although these are uncommon)
However, these are not necessarily signs of cancer but it is still advised to get them checked out if they persist or get worse.
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