'My heartburn felt like a warning sign - and it was'

A man who spent years taking heartburn medication before being diagnosed with cancer is calling for others not to ignore symptoms.

John Wardman, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, had been using medication such as Gaviscon for about three years to deal with his acid reflux.

But when the 60-year-old noticed new symptoms, he spoke to his GP, and was eventually diagnosed with early-stage cancer in his food pipe.

It is not clear when the cancer developed but he and medical professionals have warned that persistent heartburn can be a sign of something wrong and should be checked.

"For two or three years before my diagnosis I relied quite heavily on Gaviscon," Wardman told the BBC.

"If I had a glass of wine or ate something spicy I'd take it and just carry on.

"I just thought it was one of those things."

However, his symptoms got worse over time.

These included waking suddenly during the night choking, ongoing reflux that did not improve and occasional mild chest discomfort.

At one point, while out walking after breakfast, he experienced a new symptom.

"I suddenly became aware of the sensation of food travelling down my throat," he said. "It didn't feel normal and it worried me."

Wardman was urgently referred for investigation and an endoscopy revealed abnormalities in the oesophagus.

Further scans confirmed early-stage oesophageal cancer linked to Barrett's oesophagus

Wardman said the doctors do not know when it developed into cancer and therefore whether his heartburn was a sign of cancer or Barrett's oesophagus

The condition involves some cells in the food pipe grow abnormally, and those with it are slightly more likely to get oesophageal cancer, according to the NHS.

In his case it had turned to cancer and begun to extend slightly into surrounding tissue.

He is now undergoing four cycles of chemotherapy, which will be followed by surgery, and is hopeful of a return to normal life.

"I managed to catch it quite early," he said. "Instead of burying my head in the sand, and leaving it, I got onto the GP and they did the rest of it."

According to the NHS, cancer of the oesophagus is the UK's fourth biggest cancer killer in men, with more than 7,000 people are diagnosed with it every year.

Fiona Labrooy, chief executive of Heartburn Cancer UK, said many people self-medicate for persistent heartburn lasting more than three weeks without realising it could be a sign of something else.

She also said long-term heartburn can also potentially be a cause of cancer.

"Not every symptom of heartburn is going to be serious - if you've had a pint and a curry one night and have a bit of heartburn that's fine," she said.

"But if it's persistent and ongoing, and you're self medicating, you really ought to go and have a chat with your GP."

People in Nottinghamshire have access to a heartburn health check, part of an NHS pilot project, at pharmacies in the Nottingham and Mansfield areas.

Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board Clinical Director, said: "Anyone experiencing heartburn or acid reflux most days for three weeks or more should not ignore it.

"Although it is often harmless, persistent symptoms can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.

"Seeking timely advice from your GP can help identify the cause early and provide reassurance, investigation or treatment where needed."

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