A NATIONWIDE campaign to raise awareness of the link between persistent heartburn and cancer is launched today (Monday, September 26) after a North-East pilot scheme led to a large increase in urgent referrals for suspected cancer.

The Be Clear On Cancer campaign urges people to visit their family doctor if they have heartburn most days for three weeks or more, as early diagnosis greatly increases the chance of successful treatment.

Another potential warning of cancer is when someone finds it difficult to swallow food.

Experts warn that these symptoms could be a sign of oesophageal (gullet) or stomach cancer.

About 750 people in the North-East are diagnosed with gullet or stomach cancer every year and approximately 580 people die in the region from these diseases annually.

The nationwide campaign coincides with the results of a new survey commissioned by Public Health England which reveals that only one in two people (55 per cent) would visit their doctor if they suffered prolonged heartburn.

A similar awareness-raising campaign in the North-East led to a 52 per cent increase in the number of urgent referrals made by GPs to specialists for suspected upper gastrointestinal cancers compared with the same period in the previous year.

The original regional campaign led to a team from the Northern England Strategic Clinical Network winning a national public health award last year.

Bob Moncur, former captain of Newcastle United, who has been successfully treated for cancer, said: “It was a big shock to be diagnosed with oesophageal cancer as I thought I was fit and healthy for my age. I was diagnosed last year as I was also being monitored for colon cancer.

“This was in many ways fortunate as it means the cancer was caught early, even before I started experiencing symptoms.”

The Fairs Cup winning former professional footballer urged anyone who experience persistent heartburn for three weeks or more - or difficulty swallowing food – to visit their GP.

“The good news is, if you do have cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable. Now that my cancer has been treated, I’m back to enjoying a normal, active life.”

Professor Michael Griffin, of the Northern Oesophago-gastric Unit treated the footballing legend, who also played for Sunderland and managed Hartlepool United.

He said: “Around 10,200 people in England die from either oesophageal or stomach cancer each year. Earlier diagnosis makes curative treatment possible and could potentially save hundreds of lives.”