Top surgeon warns of oesophageal cancer risks

CANCER of the oesophagus kills nearly the same amount of people annually as road accidents, a medical expert warned yesterday.

And for the 400 new cases diagnosed annually, the prognosis is poor, with 90% of patients dying from the disease.

Consultant surgeon Prof Tom Walsh said the ability to recognise the symptoms was vital because it allowed for early diagnosis and successful treatment.

He was speaking at the launch of the sixth annual Lollipop Day, organised by the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF), taking place tomorrow and Saturday.

“It is vital that the public’s awareness of oesophageal cancer and its symptoms is stepped up across the country,” Prof Walsh said.

The oesophagus, or gullet, is the tube that links the stomach to the mouth. Muscles in the oesophagus push food down into the stomach during swallowing.

Recent research, however, found that less than 20% of the public know the main symptoms of oesophageal cancer — food “sticking” on swallowing (dysphagia) and unexpected weight loss.

It is thought that smoking and drinking alcohol to excess increase the risk of developing this cancer.

Men are affected more than women and it occurs generally in older people.

OCF chairwoman Noelle Ryan said survival rates could be dramatically increased if people suffering from dysphagia combined with unexpected weight loss notify their doctors quickly.

“We understand that many people are just not aware of the symptoms and Lollipop Day aims to do something about this,” she said.

“We do not want to be negative in our outlook, but at the same time we are saying early diagnosis gives the best chance of cure.”

Ms Ryan said anyone who may think they have symptoms of the disease should not waste any time and should get themselves checked out by a doctor.

“We are urging anyone with symptoms to go and get them investigated quickly by a doctor because that is they only way they will find out if they have the disease.”

Money raised from Lollipop Day will help fund research being conducted by Prof. Gerry O’Sullivan, based at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork.

He is one of the country’s leading oesophageal cancer surgeons and researchers.

www.lollipopday.com