Swallowing difficulties and heartburn are two of the signs of one of the more fatal cancers that kills over half of those diagnosed within a year, Liverpool Echo reports. Cancers of the oesophagus - the food pipe connecting your mouth with your stomach - cause it to narrow as the cancer grows, according to Guts UK Charity.
It is the 14th most common cancer in adults, with roughly 9,300 people diagnosed with it in the UK every year according to Cancer Research UK. Around 8,000 people die from the disease annually.
When caught early, in stage one, over half of people live over five years after the diagnosis, according to the charity. Few survive the cancer when diagnosed at stage four, so the Office for National Statistics do not publish a five-year survival rate.
Instead it uses a one-year rate, with just 20% of those with stage four oesophageal cancer surviving a year or more following diagnosis. According to Cancer Research UK being overweight or obese, smoking and drinking over 14 units of alcohol weekly will increase your risk of developing the disease.
Oesophageal cancer is most common in people aged 75 and over, but around 60% are younger than that, although it's rare in people under 40. The disease is also more common in men.
Julie Thompson, information manager at Guts UK Charity, said: "Sadly, over 20% of oesophageal cancer cases are diagnosed at emergency settings, such as A&E. This can often mean that the cancer is more advanced, and harder to treat.
"We know that one reason people may be diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the later stages is because the symptoms can be seen as vague. In fact, a recent UK-wide survey carried out by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce found that just 2% of people (respondents) could correctly identify all of the symptoms of oesophageal cancer.
"In addition, oesophageal cancer may cause no symptoms until it begins to obstruct passage of food or fluids down the oesophagus, or make swallowing painful. "
According to the NHS symptoms there are lots of symptoms but they are hard to spot. Despite many symptoms being more likely to be caused by something other than cancer, the health service still said it's "important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you".
Usually no symptoms will appear until the narrowing of the food pipe causes difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia. Guts UK Charity said: "Going to the doctor early when symptoms begin is important, to increase the chances of early diagnosis and effective treatment."
The main signs are:
- problems swallowing (dysphagia) - you might feel pain or burning when you swallow, or food might stick in your throat or chest
- feeling or being sick
- persistent heartburn or acid reflux
- symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
Other symptoms include:
- a persistent cough
- a hoarse voice
- vomiting
- shortness of breath
- stomach, chest or back pain
pain in your throat or behind your breastbone, especially when swallowing
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to - this could be due to difficulty swallowing or pain when you eat, or it could in rare cases be a sign of advanced disease
- feeling tired or having no energy
Cancer Research UK said: "You should see your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing, or you have symptoms that are unusual for you or that won't go away. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor."
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