ANTACID OVERUSE: AWARENESS VITAL
Oesophageal cancer is now the seventh highest cancer killer in the United Kingdom, causing around 4000-8000 deaths each year.
C
lassed as an upper gastrointestinal cancer, oesophageal cancer is classically detected as an advanced tumour and, as such, has a
poor prognosis. In fact, a five-year survival rate of only 17 per cent is achieved – even with the use of radiotherapy and surgery.
Allan Lapsley was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer almost sixteen years ago, at the age of 50. He believes that more people need to be aware of the symptoms of the disease, as early diagnosis can prove to be life-saving.
‘At that time,’ Allan told SP, ‘if you were below the age of 55, oesophageal cancer wasn’t generally considered. Like many people, who suffer from this type of cancer, I was in denial about the symptoms I was experiencing. I had regular heartburn and reflux, but only went to the GP when I began to experience pain when I was swallowing.
‘The problem with oesophageal cancer is that you can continually purchase over-the-counter suppressants, which will initially remove the symptoms that you’re experiencing, but the simple fact is that the cancer will continue to grow.
‘When I eventually did go to the GP, he told me that if I had been over 55, he would have referred me, but that he wouldn’t do it because I was only 50. I had private medical insurance and so in July 2005, I had an endoscopy. It turned out that I had a tumour the size of the top of my thumb and I had to be referred to the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Glasgow.’
Allan underwent surgery in August 2005.
‘At that time,’ Allan continued, ‘they gave chemotherapy after surgery, but the oncologist said that they weren’t going to give me the chemotherapy as the surgery had been sufficient. I said it would look bad if it came back, and so they started me on the treatment.’
Allan underwent seven sessions of chemotherapy and was then reviewed annually for ten years.
‘At that time the five-year survival rate was only twelve per cent,’ Allan said, ‘so the fact that I’m still here sixteen years later is good news. I believe that the education of the public is very
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scottishpharmacist.com
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