A mum-of-two believes she is “lucky to be alive” after seemingly harmless symptoms led to the diagnosis of a fatal disease. Nurse Rachel Edge, from Bolton, was informed that she could have lost her life “within 18 months” if her illness had not been treated in time.
In recognition of Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month, she shared how doctors discovered she had oesophageal cancer – a disease that claims over 8,000 lives in the UK annually. She received her diagnosis in 2022 at the age of 38, despite showing no apparent signs of the disease at the time.
However, Rachel had been diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition sometimes referred to as pre-cancerous due to its potential to increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, at the age of 17. Her condition was identified through several symptoms that might not initially raise alarm, including heartburn, a bad taste in her mouth, and chest pain.
Following this diagnosis, Rachel, now 40, underwent routine endoscopies every two years to monitor for cancer. It was during a biopsy after one of these check-ups that the killer disease was detected.
She said: “I was extremely lucky that my cancer was caught early so I was able to have treatment. I nearly didn’t go to my appointment in 2022 because I was a student nurse and was busy and I was feeling completely fine. Luckily, I went because the camera picked up abnormalities.”
Her subsequent biopsy uncovered a 1.7cm tumour in her oesophagus, leaving her stunned. She recalled: “I had a biopsy which resulted in the discovery of a 1.7cm tumour in my oesophagus. It was a terrible shock.”
The ensuing nine-hour surgery was arduous, involving extensive removal and chemotherapy. “What followed was a traumatic nine-hour surgery, involving the removal of two thirds of my stomach and two ribs, and weeks of chemotherapy to get rid of the cancer,” Rachel said. “My spleen ruptured during surgery but my amazing surgeons saved my life,” she said.
Rachel was informed by her doctor that without the medical intervention, she likely would have died within 18 months. Following her recovery, she is still living with some of the after-effects of surgery. “I now have 150 staples in my stomach and 98 in my back,” she said.
“I’m on high-dose medication to manage the pain and I struggle with fatigue while trying to work as a district nurse and be a mum to my two young children. I’m also still suffering from the psychological impact of my diagnosis, but overall I feel lucky that my cancer was caught in the early stages and I’m still alive.”
Oesophageal cancer affects the food pipe connecting the throat to the stomach. There are around 9,200 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. The causes are often unclear, but sometimes can be related to lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or being overweight. Fewer than 20 per cent of people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK will survive their cancer for more than five years.
Recent data analysed by Action Against Heartburn has revealed that the UK’s incidence of this often fatal disease surpasses that of almost all European countries, which campaigners say underscores the “urgent need” for increased awareness, research, and support for those affected.
The data shows that the UK has 14.2 cases of oesophageal cancer per 100,000 people compared to 3.5 in Italy, 4.4 in Spain, 7.0 in France and 7.7 in Germany. The highest rate is the Netherlands which is only slightly worse than the UK at 14.9 cases per 100,000 people.
According to the NHS, there are “many possible” symptoms of oesophageal cancer, but they might be “hard to spot”. They can affect your digestion, such as:
- Having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- Feeling or being sick
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot.
Other symptoms include:
- A cough that is not getting better
- A hoarse voice
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- Pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing
- Black poo or coughing up blood (although these are uncommon).
These symptoms do not necessarily point to cancer but you should speak to your GP if they persist for a long time or get worse.