GOLFER PÁDRAIG Harrington has called for antacid medicines to include a warning that persistent heartburn and reflux can be early signs of oesophageal cancer.
Harrington lost his father Paddy to the disease in 2005. His father, who was 73 at the time of his death, suffered from constant reflux for many years.
The golfer is fronting the Oesophageal Cancer Fund’s annual lollipop day, February 24th-25th, to raise awareness of the disease and to fund new research projects.
Harrington said that since his father was first diagnosed with the disease in 2002, he has noticed that antacid medicines in the United States carry a disclaimer that those who suffer from persistent heartburn should consult a doctor.
He acknowledged it was a “tough thing” for himself and his family to consider that his father might still be alive if they were aware of the link between reflux and the cancer.
Oesophageal cancer affects 400-500 adults in Ireland every year, mostly men in their 50s and 60s.
“There should be warnings on antacid medicines in the same way that there are warnings about cancer on cigarette packets,” he said.
“The symptoms are pretty evident, people just need to know what they are.”
Harrington’s stance has been endorsed by the country’s leading specialist in the field, Prof John Reynolds, and also by the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.
“There are a lot of talks and policies out there about what to do, but clear messages on over-the-counter medicines that would guide the patient could make a big difference. I would totally agree with him,” said Prof Reynolds who is a surgeon in St James’s Hospital.
Prof Reynolds explained that chronic reflux was now the commonest sign of oesophageal cancer. Those with severe reflux disease may be identified with a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus. This can be an indication of an elevated risk of getting oesophageal cancer.
“Not only can we identify cancers at an earlier stage, we can prevent cancers in some of those patients who have defined pre-malignant problems.”
Prof Reynolds said the prognosis for those patients who were caught early had dramatically improved in recent years. The cancer is treated by a major operation to remove the cancerous part of the oesophagus, the tube from the mouth to the stomach.
In the 1990s the five-year survival rate for those who underwent surgery was 28 per cent; that has risen to 44 per cent for those treated in St James’s Hospital in Dublin, the major centre in Ireland for treatment of the disease.
Last year’s Lollipop Day raised €280,000.
