Don’t putt off going to your doctor over cancer symptoms..
Golfer Padraig urges vigilance after losing his dad
I had a number of skin cancers removed off my face
PADRAIG HARRINGTON URGES AWARENESS
GOLF ace Padraig Harrington has told of his heartbreak of losing his father to oesophageal cancer.
Patrick, 72, died in 2005 and the threetime Major winner is now a patron of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund Ireland.
He is urging people not to ignore the symptoms like his father did at the time, saying an earlier diagnosis “could have made a big difference”.
Padraig, 52, told us: “This is a cause that is very close to my heart as my family has experienced the devastation of this cancer, having lost my dad in 2005.
“He had been experiencing symptoms for quite some time and an earlier diagnosis could have made a big difference.
“We lost him way too young. He was only 72 but he was a very fit 72.
“The symptoms are reasonably obvious to us now – persistent heartburn, persistent acid reflux, persistent trouble swallowing, all those things that you’d take indigestion tablets for. And my dad used to live on those tablets.
“He was a typical Irish dad that would just get on with it, keep going and not worry about it.
“What we do know for sure today is that early detection saves lives and that’s why awareness building is so important.
“Like all cancers, with oesophageal cancer, if you catch it early, it’s very treatable and you’ve got a great chance of beating it.
AWARENESS
“I’m delighted to support the work of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and to help spread awareness through Lollipop Day about the symptoms of this terrible cancer and to encourage people to book an early GP appointment.”
In 2015, Padraig also revealed he underwent treatment for skin cancer.
He said at the time: “I had a number of skin cancers removed off my face.
“When you get a symptom, do something about it. Don’t ignore it.”
Padraig joined the CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund Carmel Doyle to launch Lollipop Day, which takes place on February 23 and 24.
OCF volunteers will be at 80 locations nationwide. The charity is urging people who can’t donate cash for the lollipops to donate online at ocf.ie or to organise their own school, club or company fundraiser this year.
The charity is using Lollipop Day to also urge the Irish pharmaceutical sector to promote early detection by carrying bigger and better warnings on their antacid packaging and through their advertising.
OCF says it is more important than ever to raise vital funds to spread awareness about oesophageal cancer. Carmel said: “The good news is that survival rates show a 50% improvement in Ireland.
“We need to work to improve that figure by encouraging early detection and improving the knowledge around the symptoms.”
■ For more information on Lollipop Day, to volunteer, or to make a donation, please see www.ocf.ie.