Doctor warns of cancer risk that millions are unaware of but suffer from daily
Acid reflux might not seem like a big deal to some people, but according to this doctor, it could be a precursor of something more sinister.
Millions of people take drugs such as omeprazole to quell their symptoms and get on with their day, however, it seems this might not be the best course of action.
Gastroenterologist Dr Wendi LeBrett warned that this ailment, considered to be minor by most people, is actually the 'most common cause of oesophageal cancer'.
According to Cancer Research, around 9,400 people in the UK are diagnosed with this form of the disease each year.
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It takes hold when 'abnormal cells in the food pipe start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way' - and smoking, drinking alcohol and being overweight all put you at higher risk of developing it.
A lot of people don't realise that having acid reflux - or its chronic, more severe sister, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) - can also put you at a higher risk of oesophageal cancer.
Dr LeBrett claimed that one in three people who have acid reflux 'will have no idea they even have' it - let alone that they are more susceptible to this deadly disease.
In a TikTok video shared last year, the health expert explained: "About 60 to 70 percent of people who have acid reflux have the typical symptom of heartburn, the burning sensation in your chest often after eating.
"That means around one in three do not have typical symptoms or know they have the condition."
Other symptoms of acid reflux include an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, a recurring cough or hiccups, a hoarse voice, bad breath, bloating and feeling sick.
These are a result of stomach acid travelling up towards the throat, AKA acid reflux. These symptoms can be worse after eating, when lying down or bending over, the NHS says.
Dr LeBrett also detailed some other red flags to 'watch out for' which might indicate you have acid reflux, such as a chronic cough, which is typically worse at night, as well as breathing problems.
"Acid can irritate your airways and can exacerbate conditions like asthma," she went on. "Swallowing issues, atypical chest pain that's kind of been ruled out for cardiac and lung causes.
"Sometimes, it's your dentist who notices that they're are signs of acid damage to your teeth.
"It's really important to watch out for these symptoms and get evaluated for acid reflux, because chronic untreated acid reflux leads to Barrett's oesophagus, which is an inflammatory condition of your oesophagus and the precursor to oesophageal cancer."
Barrett's oesophagus is a condition where the cells lining the oesophagus have become abnormal, which can occur in a person who has been dealing with acid reflux for a long time.
Cancer Research explains: "Between three and 13 people out of 100 (between three and 13 percent) with Barrett’s oesophagus in the UK will develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma in their lifetime. And each year, less than one in 100 people with Barrett’s (less than one percent) develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Your risk of developing oesophageal cancer is higher if you have more severe cell changes (high grade dysplasia)."
Having GORD also 'increases your risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma', while Cancer Research adds: "The longer or more often you have symptoms, the higher your risk."
Oesophageal cancer begins in the oesophagus, the tube that takes any food or drink that we consume down to the stomach.
The cancer is typically only caught when it has advanced, as the initial symptoms can be mistaken as simply having a little reflux.
So, if you have any concerns, make sure to raise them with your GP sooner rather than later.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Olivia Burke