York is supporting the latest ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign that has launched this week urging people to visit their doctor if they have heartburn most days for three weeks or more, as this can be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer.

A new survey commissioned by Public Health England reveals that nationally, only 1 in 2 people (55%) would visit their doctor if they experience the above symptom.

62 people were diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer in York in 2012 and 50 people died from the diseases in 2012[ii].  The comparative figures for the Yorkshire and Humber area were 1410 people diagnosed and 1120 people dying, which is the equivalent of three deaths every day.

Early diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach cancer (also known as oesophago-gastric cancers) is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful. Nationally, around 67% of people diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers at the earliest stage survive for at least five years. This figure drops to around 3% for those diagnosed at a late stage.

The disease is more common in smokers, particularly those who also have relatively high intakes of alcohol, such as people who have worked in pubs and bars for many years.

According to the survey, 59% of respondents did not know that heartburn could be a sign of cancer with just 15% saying they were certain that it is a symptom.2

Another symptom highlighted by the campaign is that of difficulty swallowing food. Here the survey found that 70%[4] did not know food sticking in the throat could be a sign of cancer and just 13% of those surveyed said they were sure it is a symptom.

City of York Council’s Acting Director of Public Health, Julie Hotchkiss said: “The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chance of survival. People may be reluctant to visit their doctor about persistent heartburn, thinking that it’s something they just have to live with. But heartburn most days for three weeks or more could be a sign of cancer and I would urge people to visit their GP to have the symptoms checked out.”

It has been estimated that around 950 lives could be saved in England each year if the survival rates for oesophago-gastric cancers matched the best in Europe.

Heartburn most days for three weeks or more could be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer. Other symptoms of oesophageal or stomach cancer may include:
• food feels like it’s sticking in your throat when you swallow
• indigestion on and off for three weeks or more
• losing weight for no obvious reason
• trapped wind and frequent burping
• feeling full very quickly when eating
• feeling bloated after eating
• nausea or vomiting
• pain or discomfort in your upper tummy area.

For further information about the signs and symptoms of oesophageal and stomach cancers, please visit www.nhs.uk/ogcancer