Gut doctor warns of 'ticking timebomb' cancer risk that millions are walking around with...and the simple remedy that can prevent it
Gastroenterologist Dr Wendi LeBrett warned that many people are unaware acid reflux—when juices from the stomach travel back towards the throat—was a potential risk factor for oesophageal cancer.
Oesophageal cancer forms in oesophagus the tube that carries food and drink to the stomach and is incredibly deadly, with 9 out 10 patients dead within 10 years of being diagnosed, usually because of its subtle symptoms.
Acid reflux is a risk factor for the disease as the acidic liquid damages the sensitive tissue in the tube can lead to changes in cells that can become cancer.
Dr LeBrett said acid reflux—which causes problems like heartburn— can be a hidden condition with up to a third of sufferers not suffering 'typical symptoms'.
In an TikTok clip watched over 70,000 times, she said: 'About 60 to 70 per cent of people with acid reflux have the typical symptom of heartburn—the burning sensation in your chest often after eating'.
'That means around one in three do not have typical symptoms or know they have the condition.'
As such Dr LeBrett, from Idaho in the US, said people need to keep track of the hidden signs of acid reflux.
'Watch out for a chronic cough, particularly at night when acid reflux is worse,' she said.
'Breathing problems can also be a symptom as the acid irritates the airways and can exacerbate conditions like asthma.
She added: 'Problems swallowing is also an atypical symptom.'
The medic also explained that dentists may spot signs of acid damage to your teeth.
Signs include yellowing of teeth as well as cracks and increased sensitivity.
She urged anyone frequently experiencing these symptoms to seek help from a medical professional.
One commenter on the video said: 'I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer last year. I'm 36. I've had acid reflux most of my life but never thought anything of it. I had all those symptoms you mention but was gaslit and dismissed by my doctors.'
While another viewer said that: 'not me having a chronic cough because of my acid, getting it checked next Monday.'
Doctors may be able to advise on lifestyle changes or prescribe medication and investigations to combat the problem.
Untreated acid reflux can lead to a condition called Barrett's oesophagus.
This is where cells in the tube have started to change abnormally and are at higher risk of becoming cancerous.
Cancer charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) estimates between 3 and 13 per cent of Barrett's oesophagus will go on to develop oesophageal cancer.
This translate to someone with the condition having an 11-times greater risk of being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer than someone without Barrett's oesophagus.
Overall, CRUK estimates about three in five of the near 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed in Britain each year are preventable.
Smoking is considered one of the biggest risk factors for the disease with about one in three cases of the cancer in Britain caused by the habit.
In addition to heartburn and indigestion a sore throat, especially when swallowing, is another common sign of the disease.
Patients are urged to get it checked out by a doctor if they notice it getting worse or remaining for a long period of time.
Data also suggests that oesophageal is on the rise in Britain with cases having increased 3 per cent overall since the 90s and 10 per cent in men specifically.
Earlier this year figures showed Britain has one of the highest rates of the disease in Europe with medics warning cases, like other cancers, are on the rise among young adults.
The cancer kills 22 patients per day in the UK, one of the highest rates in Europe.
Data show the UK has 14.2 new cases of oesophageal cancer per 100,000 people per year.
This is quadruple Italy's 3.5 cases per 100,000 people per year, triple Spain's 4.4 and double or almost double France's and Germany rate of 7 and 7.7.
Only the Netherlands narrowly beats Britain in Western Europe, sneaking ahead at 14.9 cases.
Action Against Heartburn, the campaign group that analysed the data called for greater awareness of oesophageal cancer in Britain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
No meal deal? Striking doctors 'are offered cheaper lunches' in attempt to avert five-day walk out
Doctors rejected Wes Streeting 's last-ditch offer of meal deals and opted to strike instead. Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, refused the Health Secretary's offer of cheaper lunches and subsidised medical equipment and instead voted for a five-day walkout. Mr Streeting warned that he couldn't budge on pay, but instead proposed to cut the costs of exams and improve financial support, The Sun revealed. In his letter on Monday the Labour MP said he wanted to resolve the disputes without strikes and felt progress had already been made but talks broke down on Tuesday. The British Medical Association are demanding a 29 per cent pay increase instead of the 5.4 per cent initially offered. The Health Secretary accused the British Medical Association of showing 'complete disdain for patients' and described their walkout as 'unjustified' earlier this week. Health leaders were also quick to round on the union, warning their 'crushing' and 'misjudged' action would cause widespread disruption and harm. Up to 50,000 resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - are set to strike from 7am on Friday in pursuit of a 29 per cent pay rise. They have already received above inflation pay rises for the past three years, worth an extra 28.9 per cent in total, following previous strikes. This includes an inflation-busting rise this year of 5.4 per cent, which is the most generous in the public sector. Despite this the BMA said Mr Streeting's offer 'did not go far enough to warrant calling off strikes' and lacked any 'substantive proposal on both pay and non-pay elements'. Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the BMA's RDC, said: 'Disappointingly, what we saw would not have been significant enough to change the day-to-day financial situation for our members. 'The non-pay aspects of last year's pay deal have still not been delivered, which has shaken the confidence of our members that any further non-pay elements would be honoured.' Mr Streeting said: 'After a 28.9 per cent pay hike in the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row, strike action is completely unjustified, completely unprecedented in the history of British trade unionism and shows a complete disdain for patients and the wider recovery of the NHS.' The announcement came after health bosses warned striking doctors will cause patients 'undoubted harm' and a new poll revealed the majority of the public now oppose walkouts. The latest YouGov poll reveals more than half (52 per cent) of people in the UK either 'somewhat oppose' (20 per cent) or 'strongly oppose' (32 per cent) the idea of resident doctors going on strike over pay. Meanwhile, only a third (34 per cent) of the 4,954 adults surveyed either 'somewhat support' (23 per cent) or 'strongly support' (11 per cent) doctor strikes. YouGov said the proportion supporting the strike over pay has dropped five points since it last asked the question in May. Then, 48 per cent opposed resident doctors striking, while 39 per cent supported them taking action. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said of the BMA's announcement: 'This decision is a crushing blow for patients and for the NHS. 'We urge resident doctors to help trusts minimise the harm by notifying them of their plans for strike days. 'For example we must ensure that there are enough staff for all the cancer, transplant and maternity care that cannot and must not be delayed. 'Another huge worry is the cost. 'It is vital that consultants providing cover take NHS rates of pay rather than insisting on inflated BMA rates that are simply unaffordable. 'We say to the BMA 'think again' and pull back from this hugely damaging decision.'
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Health Check Do you really have a penicillin allergy?
Penicillin is the go-to antibiotic for many common infections - but in the UK more than 1-in-15 adults have a penicillin allergy label on their medical record. New research suggests that many with these labels are not actually allergic. Professor Sue Pavitt explains how more accurate allergy labelling might help fight the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Both Burundi and Senegal announced last week that they had eliminated trachoma. Dr Graham Easton walks us through the long road to this milestone. A passionate debate has caused division in Maharashtra, India, over the possibility of homeopaths being allowed to practice and prescribe conventional medicine. Reporter Chhavi Sachdev explains why doctors on both sides are striking. In the UK, eight babies made with the combined genetic material of three people have been born without the hereditary mitochondrial disease. We explore the implications of this breakthrough. Sex at birth might not be as random as we once thought; a new study found that families with three children of the same sex are more likely to have another child of the same sex. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Alice McKee Studio Managers: Dyfan Rose and Andrew Garrett
Sky News
33 minutes ago
- Sky News
Doctors go on strike for five days - here's everything you need to know
Why you can trust Sky News Doctors in England and Wales go on strike for five days from Friday, with warnings it could lead to patient harm in emergency departments. It is the culmination of an escalating row between NHS bosses and the British Medication Association (BMA) over pay. Here is everything you need to know about the strikes. How long is the strike? From 7am on Friday 25 July to 7am on Wednesday 30 July. Who is striking? Up to 50,000 resident doctors will walk out. Resident doctors is the new name for junior doctors - it was changed to better reflect their responsibilities. Resident doctors are fully qualified doctors who are either currently in postgraduate training or gaining experience as locally employed doctors to become consultants, GPs or specialists. Their title was changed after years of calls for the term "junior" to be retired, as it was seen as both misleading and demeaning. General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are not impacted by the action. How will it affect appointments? During previous strikes, NHS England told trusts to cancel large volumes of non-urgent care so that consultants could step in to cover emergency care. Previous rounds of industrial action - 11 walkouts over multiple days - saw an estimated 1.5 million appointments cancelled or rescheduled. But under the leadership of new NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey, hospitals have now been instructed to cancel non-urgent work only in "exceptional circumstances" – and only with prior approval. This suggests that much fewer planned appointments will be cancelled, although no exact figures have been given by either side. The BMA has warned this new approach risks spreading doctors too thinly. How will I know if my appointment has been cancelled? Patients have been advised to "choose healthcare wisely" during the strike. If your appointment has been cancelled, or rearranged, you will be contacted by the hospital directly. Priority will be given to patients with the most pressing health needs. 2:27 If you do not hear that your appointment has been changed, you should attend as usual. Will I still be able to access emergency care? If you need emergency care during the strike you should still go to hospital as normal. Patients have been told to call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. If the situation is non-life threatening, patients should seek support through NHS 111, NHS 111 online, their GP or a pharmacy. Why are they striking? Doctors in England and Wales were awarded a 5.4% pay increase by the government, but the BMA still threatened strike action, claiming the increases did not account for historical pay freezes. Instead the BMA is calling for a rise of 29.2% to bring salaries back in line with 2008 levels. More than 26,000 resident doctors voted in favour of the strikes. I thought they already had a pay rise? Yes, in July last year resident doctors were awarded a raise of 22% over two years, bringing to end months of strike action. It was the highest public sector award in recent years. But the trade union argues that pay has declined significantly since 2008 when adjusting for inflation. The latest deal saw doctors given a 4% increase, plus £750 "on a consolidated basis" - which works out as an average rise of 5.4%. The BMA said no doctor "took the possibility of striking lightly" but the majority of its members believed they had "no other choice". "Doctors have spoken and spoken clearly," the union said. "They won't accept that they are worth a fifth less than they were in 2008. Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong." The BMA said Mr Streeting had the power to "make the right decision" on pay. Does the public support the strikes? A new YouGov poll found support for the strikes is declining. The survey found about half (52%) of people in the UK either "somewhat oppose" (20%) or "strongly oppose" (32%) the idea of resident doctors going on strike over pay. Older people are more likely to be against, with 52% of those aged over 65 "strongly opposed", compared to 10% of those aged 18 to 24. YouGov says the proportion of people who support the strikes has dropped five percentage points since May last year. What does the government say? Talks between the government and BMA have continued, with the latter saying strikes could still be avoided. Health secretary Wes Streeting has ruled out any additional pay rises this year, but has said other aspects of the contract - including student debt, exam fees and working conditions - may be up for negotiation. 2:50 Mr Streeting previously warned the BMA the public "will not forgive" strike action. He wrote in The Times that any walkouts would be a "disaster" for the union and for patients, adding the government "can't afford" more pay rises. NHS chiefs said any return to industrial action would be "bad for patients, for staff and for the NHS". Chief executive of NHS Providers Daniel Elkeles said: "We need cool heads to de-escalate this and remove the threat of further damaging industrial action."
