A MAN’S life was saved by his brother-in-law after his wife recognised his persistent heartburn could be cancer too.
Jenny Mosley, 56, lost her brother Ade, 53, in October 2018, after he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, just six months after his initial diagnosis.
She learned about the signs which could easily be dismissed, such as persistent heartburn, and mentioned them to her partner Dave, 48.
“We never connected the dots before,” Jenny, project manager, from Southampton, Hampshire, said.
“For years, we just assumed over-the-counter treatments, like Gaviscon, were enough, but Ade’s experience made us realise how dangerous ignoring symptoms could be.”
Dave confessed he had also been experiencing persistent heartburn for over a decade and relied on over-the-counter antacids to manage his symptoms.
Motivated by her brother’s death, Jenny registered Dave for a capsule sponge test pilot, with Heartburn Cancer UK and the device maker, Cyted.
The test revealed that Dave had Barrett’s oesophagus – a potentially pre-cancerous condition that can develop into oesophageal cancer if left untreated.
“When we got the results, it was a mix of emotions,” Jenny said.
“Relief that we caught it early. But also fear of what could have happened if we hadn’t taken action.”
Jenny believes that the tragedy of losing her brother led to her partner Dave getting his life-saving diagnosis.
“Ade would be proud to know his experience helped save Dave’s life,” she added.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”What to do if you have heartburn or indigestion” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366372530112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Before he died, Ade worked abroad as an electrical engineer and didn’t even have a UK GP when his symptoms became unmanageable.
He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which his family described as “devastating”.
[quote credit=”Jenny Mosley” credit-meta=”56″]Ade would be delighted to know that he has helped Dave.He would have been happy that, at least, something positive came out of all his suffering[/quote]Ade underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy but his cancer had progressed significantly and Abe died in October 2018 – six months after he was diagnosed.
Jenny said: “It was heartbreaking to see him suffer.
“He was so brave, even when the treatment took such a heavy toll. We wish we had known more, sooner.”
“Ade was always the life of the party.
“He was so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard to believe something so serious could be going on beneath the surface.”
After the test, Dave began taking Lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, and will now undergo regular endoscopies, to monitor any progression of Barrett’s oesophagus.
“It’s such a relief to know Dave is being monitored closely,” Jenny said,
“We’ve made lifestyle changes together and are more aware of the importance of staying on top of his health.
“Ade would be delighted to know that he has helped Dave.
“He would have been happy that, at least, something positive came out of all his suffering.”
[boxout headline=”Symptoms of oesophageal cancer” intro=”There are many possible symptoms of oesophageal cancer so they can be hard to spot.”]But a number of symptoms are related to digestion:
- having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- feeling or being sick
- heartburn or acid reflux
- symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
Other symptoms include:
- a cough that is not getting better
- a hoarse voice
- a loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- feeling tired or having no energy
- pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing
- black poo or coughing up blood (although these are uncommon)
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your GP.
Source: NHS
Fiona Labrooy, from Heartburn Cancer UK, said: “In our day-to-day work, we too often hear of the missed opportunities when people die or get very sick because they’ve ignored persistent heartburn or self-medicate for too long.
“And it’s always devasting.”
She added: “For many people, heartburn is a minor issue. But for some, it can be a warning sign of something far more dangerous.
“Over Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February – and beyond – we hope to encourage people – of all ages – to look again at their heartburn and think seriously about how long they’ve had it and how often they get it.
“If they regularly buy off-the-self or over-the-counter remedies or if it’s been around for three weeks or more, they should speak to their GP practice about it.
“It might just save their life.”
