SIGNS that you may have cancer could make themselves clear when you eat.
Oesophageal cancer affects around 9,300 Brits every year – the 14th most common form of the disease.
Certain symptoms experienced while eating and drinking could be signs of Oesophageal cancer
Around four in ten of all new cases are diagnosed in people over 70 – with a 12 percent survival rate over ten years.
Also known as the food pipe, the oesophagus connects your mouth to your stomach.
The exact cause of oesophageal cancer is not known, but smoking, drinking, obesity and an unhealthy diet can increase your risk.
But there is a little-known symptom of oesophageal cancer, along with three others, that you should be aware of.
Difficulty swallowing
Also known as dysphagia, it will strike when you’re eating or drinking.
There are two types: oropharyngeal dysphagia, which affects the mouth or throat; and oesophagus dysphagia, which impacts your food pipe.
Dysphagia can result in coughing or choking when eating or drinking and it can also feel like you’ve got food stuck in your throat or chest.
Persistent drooling of saliva can also be a sign.
Being unable to chew food properly and a gurgly, wet-sounding voice when eating or drinking are both signs.
Persistent indigestion and heartburn
If you experience heartburn on most days for three weeks or more, NHS England says you should seek medical advice.
Feelings of indigestion could also be a sign.
This is pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or burning pain behind the breastbone.
Food may be brought back up following these symptoms, sometimes through the nose, as acid reflux.
It causes causes an unpleasant, sour taste in your mouth and nasal tract.
Both symptoms may occur together or on their own, usually soon after eating or drinking.
Unexplained weight loss
Coupled with a loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss could be a sign of Oesophageal cancer.
Roughly half of sufferers experience this symptom, which can be due to eating less because of difficulty swallowing.
The weight loss comes about as a result of lower calorie intake.
Pain in your throat or behind breastbone
As well as experiencing difficulty, it can also be painful when swallowing.
This pain can appear as a burning sensation which can also be felt behind your breastbone.
Pain can also be felt in your back, behind your breastbone or between your shoulder blades.
If you experience any of these symptoms and they are not going away or getting worse, contact your GP.
All symptoms in this list can be caused by several conditions.
And it is important to stress that many cases won’t be caused by cancer.
Despite this, it is a good idea to get them checked out if you are concerned.
