REFLUX AND THE WORRYING LINKS TO CANCER

CHRONIC reflux can cause the cells in the oesophagus to change, a condition known as Barrett’s oesophagus.

This is thought to affect 1.5 million people in the UK, although many go undiagnosed. The risk is that it can develop into oesophageal cancer — this happens for between one and five per cent of those with Barrett’s oesophagus.

Gastroenterologist Dr Anthony Hobson says a patient whose heartburn does not respond to a trial (typically a month long) of medication and lifestyle changes should be referred for an endoscopy, where a camera on a long, thin tube is inserted through the mouth to examine the oesophagus to check for the condition.

A tumour can cause the oesophagus to narrow, causing difficulty swallowing. ‘If a patient is having difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss, those are the alarm bells for a GP,’ he says, adding that some patients can have quite severe reflux without feeling it, so difficulty swallowing should always be investigated.

NICE, the government’s health watchdog, states that a patient with these ‘alarm bell’ symptoms should have an endoscopy within two weeks. If Barrett’s oesophagus is diagnosed, you’ll be advised to make lifestyle changes and may be prescribed medication such as a PPI.

You’ll also be offered regular endoscopies and biopsies to check for any changes occurring in the cells.

‘I see a lot of people who say, “I’ve got reflux and I’m worried I’m going to get cancer,” ’ says surgeon Nick Boyle.

‘But remember that reflux is common, and cancer is rare. That said, it’s important to identify if you have Barrett’s, as it confers a significant risk.’