Poor awareness of symptoms of oesophageal cancer

Abstract

Oesophageal cancer presents as advanced disease; in the majority of patients the symptoms are present for many months prior to diagnosis. Dysphagia has been described as the key to an early diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. This study aims to assess the public perception of the importance of this symptom. Ninety-six patients completed a questionnaire. This evaluated patient understanding of symptoms of dysphagia compared to the finding of a breast lump, haemoptysis, chest pain and loss of weight concerning urgency, probable cause of symptoms and treatment required. Sixty-five patients (71%) would visit their GP within 24 h of finding a breast lump or suffering from haemoptysis (82%) or having chest pain (82%). Forty-seven patients (51%) who experienced dysphagia would seek medical advice after one week and further 18 (19%) after one month (P<0.0001). Only eight patients (10%) associated dysphagia with cancer compared to 53 patients (57%) with the finding of a breast lump (P<0.031). This study concludes that there is poor understanding of the main symptoms of oesophageal cancer. New health campaigns are needed if the cancer is to be detected at an earlier and potentially curable stage.

The 2015 upper gastrointestinal “Be Clear on Cancer” campaign: its impact on gastroenterology services and malignant and premalignant diagnoses

“…This is important as oesophagogastric cancer has not been well-publicised compared with other cancer campaigns 5. A regional study in 2010 showed that only 10% of the public had appreciated dysphagia as a possible symptom of oesophagogastric cancer 5. In contrast, 71% of patients would seek medical advice after discovering a breast lump 5.…”

“…A regional study in 2010 showed that only 10% of the public had appreciated dysphagia as a possible symptom of oesophagogastric cancer 5. In contrast, 71% of patients would seek medical advice after discovering a breast lump 5. Data from a previous BCOC pilot had shown an increase in oesophagogastric cancer symptom awareness 3.…”

Overexpression of calcyphosine is associated with poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

“…In a study concerning lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), upregulated CAPS expression was detected in lung cancer and lung cancer with COPD groups when compared with the control group, indicating that CAPS may serve as a biomarker fora lung cancer diagnosis (16). Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive cancer types worldwide owing to a lack of early typical symptoms and effective non-invasive diagnostic methods (21). Despite the efforts to improve diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches, the quality of life and overall survival time for patients with ESCC is far from satisfactory.…”

Swallowscope: A smartphone based device for the assessment of swallowing ability

“…Furthermore, inability to eat properly can adversely affect the health through dehydration and malnutrition, and it can also affect the quality of life [3], [4]. Dysphagia is also the most common symptom of esophageal cancer, and its early detection is crucial for the successful prognosis [5].…”