Ex-footballer joins calls for greater awareness of oesophageal cancer
A former international footballer has joined a leading surgeon in Norfolk in calling for greater awareness of oesophageal and gastric cancers among the local community.
Sammy Morgan, a former Northern Ireland international striker, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer after visiting his GP with no obvious symptoms and was referred to Prof Bhaskar Kumar, Oesophagogastric (OG) cancer lead at NNUH.
Mr Morgan said: “I didn’t expect anything to be wrong so the diagnosis was a real bombshell. The treatment started with chemo, then surgery and finally chemo again and it obviously worked because here I am ten years on.”
Speaking at the start of Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month, Prof Kumar said his team continued to see many patients diagnosed at a late stage, largely due to delays in seeking help. Both cancers are among the most aggressive and early diagnosis is crucial.
Early symptoms are often vague and can easily be mistaken for more common conditions, the diseases frequently go undetected until they have progressed.
Prof Kumar said: “By promoting local awareness of the symptoms of this cancer, we hope more patients will seek early help allowing us to cure them. If cases present early enough, we can cure patients often without needing chemotherapy or even major surgery. If surgery is needed, we have minimally invasive options which allow a smoother recovery.”
Mr Morgan said: “I would tell anyone who is concerned to get to your GP as soon as you can. We’re all a little bit inclined to put it off. I was lucky to get it caught early and it has worked. I can’t speak highly enough of the team that treated me, I feel very fortunate.”
To support progress in this area, the N&N Hospitals Charity has invested in research focused on understanding why Barrett’s Oesophagus, a precancerous condition, develops into oesophageal cancer in some patients but not others. This research will be done in collaboration with the University of East Anglia.
N&N Hospitals Charity Director Rachel Backshall said: “Research is the key to improving survival and transforming the future for people affected by oesophageal and gastric cancers. This investment is just one example of how, with the support of our community, we can drive forward vital studies that help clinicians detect these cancers earlier and treat them more effectively.”
If you would like to support the N&N Hospitals Charity or find out more about the work we do, please email charity@nnuh.nhs.uk or call 01603 287197.
Oesophageal cancer affects the oesophagus (food pipe), while gastric cancer develops in the stomach. Around 9,300 people are diagnosed each year in the UK, making it the 14th most common cancer among adults.
Symptoms to be aware of:
The main symptoms of oesophageal cancer are:
- Food sticking and therefore having to switch to a more liquid, softer diet
- Pain with swallowing and food sticking
- Terrible heartburn particularly if persistent and not responding to medication
The main symptoms of stomach cancer are:
- Feeling full very soon after eating
- Noticeable weight loss and clothes going baggy
- Terrible heartburn particularly if persistent and not responding to medication
- Blood in the poo