Heartburn cancer self – referral appeal

People aged 40 and over who experience persistent heartburn are being encouraged to take a ‘game-changing’ test that can help save lives by spotting the early warning signs of oesophageal cancer.

The call-out is being made to people living in north east Suffolk who regularly use over-the-counter indigestion remedies.

The tests have taken place inside an innovative mobile diagnostic unit which recently relocated to Hartismere Hospital in Eye, where it will remain until later this year.

The unit is funded and equipped by Heartburn Cancer UK (HCUK), the charity that promotes oesophageal cancer awareness (cancer of the food pipe), and the Innovate UK-funded Project DELTA, which is rolling out the sponge test technology.

Selected patients who have previously been prescribed medication for heartburn have already undergone the quick, but potentially lifesaving test.

As a result, several people with potential signs of oesophageal cancer or a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s oesophagus have been referred onwards for further tests.

Now health chiefs want people living in the area and who take over-the-counter heartburn remedies to self-refer to the pioneering unit.

The test uses a ground-breaking new detection technique for early signs of oesophageal cancer developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Dr Pete Holloway, a GP at Mendlesham Health Centre and Cancer Lead for the NHS Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care Board, urged them to come forward.

He said: “This is all about peace of mind. We’ve targeted specific patients who we know to be at risk of this type of cancer and invited them to undergo the test.

“Now we need people who regularly take over-the-counter medication for heartburn but aren’t on the radar of their local GP practice to come forward to be tested.

“It involves swallowing a vitamin-sized pill on a thread with some water. The capsule dissolves after a few minutes releasing a small sponge which is retrieved by the nurse after a couple of seconds, collecting a detailed cell sample on the way back up the food pipe.

“The vast majority of people will easily be able to tolerate undergoing the test, but if anyone has any concerns they can discuss them with us first.

“Early diagnosis, as with all cancers, is imperative. We currently refer patients we have concerns about to hospital for an endoscopy.

“But this test is a quicker, simpler, less invasive and cheaper way to monitor people who could be at risk.

“It will bring peace of mind to some people, but for others it could catch a potentially deadly condition much earlier than other screening processes.”

Mimi McCord, Chair of Heartburn Cancer UK (HCUK), who set up the charity when her husband died from cancer of the oesophagus after inadvertently ignoring early warning signs of persistent heartburn, said: “Early diagnosis is vital.

“By funding the mobile test unit and bringing the test to the doorstep of their GP, we can help more people be seen sooner, and do it in a much less intimidating and more convenient way.

“If we pick up more cases of Barrett’s oesophagus, or early signs of cancer, we are much closer to preventing people from dying unnecessarily. This is so often a preventable disease where early cell changes can be treated quite easily.”

If you meet the necessary criteria, you can self-refer by calling 01223-761085. If you need to clarify your eligibility or have any further questions you can email irene.debiram1@nhs.net.

In order to be able to self-refer you must be aged 40 or over and suffer from persistent heartburn/reflux and be regularly taking antacids.

You cannot self-refer if you are currently being investigated for oesophageal cancer by your GP, have undergone an endoscopy in the last five years or have already been diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus.

Incidence rates of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (oesophageal AC), the most common cancer of the oesophagus in the UK, have increased six-fold since the 1990s, but survival rates remain poor at just 17% after five years.

However, research shows that 59% of cases of cancer of the oesophagus in the UK are preventable.

It is hoped that in the future the test could be used by GP surgeries throughout the country to identify potential issues for people on long-term heartburn medication.