Off The Record
A Man Passes Away Months After Realizing That This Warning Sign Was Actually Cancer
After her late brother and husband, whose illness was discovered just in time, experienced the same ominous symptom, a Southampton woman has issued a warning about an easy-to-dismiss indicator of deadly cancer.
Ade, the 53-year-old brother of Jenny Mosley, passed away in October 2018, barely six months after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which he had long misdiagnosed as “harmless” heartburn.
Following the funeral, Ms. Mosley, 56, urged her husband, Dave, 48, to get treatment for heartburn he had been experiencing as well.
For more than ten years, Mr. Mosley had struggled with the ailment, using over-the-counter antacids to get through the day.
Fortunately, he sought assistance just in time, as examinations by doctors revealed a potentially precancerous disease that, in about 13% of instances, develops into esophageal cancer.
Speaking of the experience, Ms Mosley, a project manager from Southampton, said, “We never connected the dots before. For years, we just assumed over-the-counter treatments, like Gaviscon, were enough.”
“But Ade’s experience made us realise how dangerous ignoring symptoms could be.”
“Dave had persistent heartburn for at least eight years, maybe 10, before being properly checked.”
The family felt ‘a combination of emotions’ when Mr. Mosley’s testing revealed that he had Barrett’s oesophagus, a possibly precancerous illness.
“[There was] relief that we caught it early,” said Ms Mosley. But also fear of what could have happened if we hadn’t taken action.
“Ade would be proud to know his experience helped save Dave’s life.”
Reflux is the primary sign of Barrett’s oesophagus, which occurs when stomach acid and food particles return to the throat.
Upper abdominal pain and nausea are other symptoms.
According to Guts UK, some patients also suffer a persistent sore throat or a metallic taste in their mouth.
But the only symptom Mr. Mosley had was heartburn.
Ade was an electrical engineer working overseas before to his death, and when his symptoms became out of control, he didn’t even have a UK general practitioner.
‘Devastating’ was how his relatives described his oesophageal cancer diagnosis.
Ade’s cancer had advanced considerably by the time he passed away in October 2018, six months after his diagnosis, despite receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Ms Mosely said: “It was heartbreaking to see him suffer.”
“He was so brave, even when the treatment took such a heavy toll. We wish we had known more, sooner.”
“Ade was always the life of the party.”
“He was so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard to believe something so serious could be going on beneath the surface.”
In the UK, oesophageal cancer affects about 9,300 people annually.
Cancer Research UK states that symptoms include pain in the throat, heartburn that doesn’t go away, difficulty swallowing, and inexplicable weight loss.
Ms. Mosley and her family didn’t start to wonder if her husband’s regular heartburn was typical until after Ade passed away.
Ms Mosely said: “My husband Dave had persistent heartburn for years, Gaviscon was a feature on the weekly shop because he was taking it so much.”
“If you were taking paracetamol or ibuprofen every day, you’d go to a doctor, but for some reason, we don’t think the same with Gaviscon.”
An inventive capsule sponge test prototype, created in collaboration with Heartburn Cancer UK, was used to identify Dave Mosley’s condition.
A capsule that dissolves in the stomach and releases a sponge that gathers oesophageal cells is swallowed during the test. These cells are then examined for indications of malignancy and Barrett’s oesophagus, among other oesophageal disorders.
Without having to visit the hospital, a trained nurse can perform the quick and simple test on patients with chronic heartburn at a mobile unit or a general practitioner’s office.
Mr. Mosley started using lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, under medical supervision in order to control his illness and avoid acid reflux.
Additionally, he will get routine endoscopies to track any advancements in Barrett’s oesophagus.
Ms Mosely said: “It’s such a relief to know Dave is being monitored closely.”
“We’ve made lifestyle changes together, and we’re more aware of the importance of staying on top of his health.”
“Ade would be delighted to know that he has helped Dave.”
“He would have been happy that, at least, something positive came out of all his suffering.”
“In our day-to-day work, we hear about the missed opportunities when people die or get very sick because they’ve ignored persistent heartburn or self-medicate for too long,” said Fiona Labrooy, Chief Operating Officer with Heartburn Cancer UK. It’s always devastating, too.
“For many people, heartburn is a minor issue. But for some, it can be a warning sign of something far more dangerous.”
“Over Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February and beyond we hope to encourage people of all ages to look again at their heartburn and think seriously about how long they’ve had it and how often they get it.”
“If they regularly buy off-the-self or over-the-counter remedies or if it’s been around for three weeks or more, they should speak to their GP practice about it. It might just save their life.”
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