The 6 ‘hidden’ symptoms of deadly cancer that ‘masquerades as a sore throat’
A DOCTOR has warned of the hidden symptoms of an often fatal cancer to look out for after figures showed the UK has one of the highest rates in Europe.
Oesophageal cancer is considered a less common type of cancer, compared to the likes of breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancer.
But new figures have revealed rates of the cancer across the UK are higher than most countries in Europe, including Spain, France and Germany.
According to recent data from Digestive Cancers Europe, analysed by Action Against Heartburn for Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month, the UK has 14.2 cases of the cancer per 100,000 people compared to 3.5 in Italy, 4.4 in Spain, 7 in France and 7.7 in Germany.
The highest rate is the Netherlands which is only slightly worse than the UK at 14.8 cases per 100,000 people.
Experts have now underscored the urgent need for increased awareness, research, and support for those affected.
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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's often diagnosed in the advanced stages due to vague initial symptoms, leading to poor outcomes for patients.
Fewer than 20 per cent of people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK will survive their cancer for more than five years.
Dr Jason Chow, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Cromwell Hospital, is just one of the many experts warning of the symptoms to look out for.
A sore throat tends to be something that goes away on its own - but it can masquerade the symptoms of oesophageal cancer.
Persistent pain in your throat, which feels as though it's in the centre of your chest (or behind your breastbone) could be a sign of something more sinister.
Dr Chow said: "Difficulty swallowing, which is painful or a burning sensation, or food feeling as though it is sticking in your throat, are also common symptoms of oesophageal cancer and you should speak to your doctor, especially if these symptoms don't go away."
The most common symptoms of oesophageal cancer are difficulty
swallowing, unexplained weight loss, indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t go away and pain in your throat or behind your breastbone.
However, Dr Chow warned of some of the more hidden symptoms related to the cancer - ones that can be less common.
These include:
- Food coming back up
- A cough that won't go away
- Hoarseness of the voice
- Coughing up blood
- Poo that may be darker or almost black
- Tiredness
The warning signs of oesophageal cancer
OESOPHAGEAL cancer is a cancer of the food pipe.
It affects 9,400 people in the UK every year, and most people are over the age of 60.
Smoking increases your risk of the disease, as does being overweight, drinking alcohol and having conditions like Barrett's oesophagus, where the cells lining your oesophagus have become abnormal.
Only 12 per cent of patients survive for 10 or more years after being diagnosed.
There are around 8,000 oesophageal cancer deaths in the UK every year - or 22 every day.
Early diagnosis is key, so recognising the symptoms is vital. The most common include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Indigestion or heartburn that doesn't go away
- Pain in the throat or behind the breastbone
But some people also experience a cough, hoarseness, dark poo, tiredness and food coming back up after swallowing.
Source: Cancer Research UK
Who's at risk of oesophageal cancer?
The risk of developing cancer in general depends on factors including your age, medical conditions and lifestyle factors such as being overweight.
For oesophageal cancer, smoking or chewing tobacco increases your risk and smoking and drinking alcohol together increases the
risk further.
Dr Chow advised: "If you suffer with a history of chronic acid reflux or Barrett’s oesophagus (a condition where the cells lining your oesophagus have become abnormal due to long term acid reflux), this can also increase your risk of oesophageal cancer."
When you should call NHS 111
If you experience the following symptoms, the NHS recommends asking for an urgent GP appointment or getting help by calling 111:
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- You're being sick for more than two days
- Your poo is black or dark red
- You have symptoms of oesophageal cancer you're worried about, but are not sure where to get help
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