Overview
- John Wardman, 60, from Mansfield, was diagnosed with early-stage cancer of the oesophagus after an urgent GP referral led to endoscopy and scans.
- He had relied on Gaviscon for two to three years, then new signs such as night-time choking, chest pain and a feeling of food sticking pushed him to seek help.
- Doctors found a three to four centimetre abnormal area tied to Barrett’s oesophagus, a change in the food pipe lining caused by long-term acid reflux.
- He has completed four rounds of chemotherapy and surgery and now faces further chemotherapy to lower the chance of the disease returning.
- Heartburn Cancer UK urges GP visits if reflux persists for about three weeks or no longer responds to over-the-counter remedies, noting roughly 9,300 UK cases a year and high mortality in men.