Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Heartburn Cancer UK
Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About us
    • What we do
    • Our history
    • Our team
    • Our trustees
    • Our patrons and ambassadors
  • Information
    • Persistent heartburn
    • Barrett's oesophagus
    • Dysplasia
    • Oesophageal cancer
    • Diet & lifestyle
      • Meet Sarah - our Dietitian in Residence
      • Dietary changes after Oesophagectomy - What can I expect?
      • Dumping Syndrome
      • Information for those with acid reflux
      • Oesophageal Cancer - eating when swallowing is difficult
    • Information booklet
  • Support Groups
    • Barrett's and Oesophageal Cancer Online Support Group
    • Basingstoke Support Group
    • East Anglia Support Group
    • HCUK London Barrett's Support Group
    • HCUK London Oesophageal Cancer Support Group
    • Start a support group in your area
    • Other Support Groups
  • Your stories
  • Get Involved
    • Share your story
    • Appeals
      • Early diagnosis - Saving lives
      • The Burning Question...
    • Fundraise for us
      • Events
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Create a fundraising page
      • Fundraisers
    • Book a holiday with Charitable Travel
    • Buy your greetings cards
    • Volunteer
    • Giving in memory
    • Legacy giving
    • Other ways to give
  • Shop
  • Latest
    • Blogs
      • Words of wisdom from Dr Oliver
      • Malcolm's magic with food
    • Events
    • In The Press
    • News
    • Newsletters
    • Research
      • Add-Aspirin Trial
      • Cytosponge
      • LINACRE Trial
      • Mutographs Project
  • Events
  • Get in touch
  • 01256338668
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • What we do
  1. About us
  2. What we do

What we do

Why Heartburn Cancer UK Exists

We raise awareness about the dangers of persistent heartburn, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and Barrett's oesophagus.   Sometimes these conditions can lead to more serious conditions such as oesophageal cancer. Many people are unaware of this and we are trying to change that because the earlier a problem is highlighted the better the outcome is likely to be.

The Facts

  • Raising awareness can mean earlier diagnosis which helps save lives.
  • 10% of people suffer with heartburn every week
  • 10% of people with heartburn unknowingly have Barrett's
  • Half a million people in the UK have Barrett's without knowing and 50,000 of these may go on to develop oesophageal cancer.  That's 1 in 10.
  • Around 8,000 people will die of oesophageal cancer each year.
  • About 22 people die each day of oesophageal cancer
  • Oesophageal cancer is the 7th most common cause of cancer death overall in the UK and is the 4th most common cause of cancer deaths in males.
  • The UK has the worst survival record in Europe and the developed world for oesophageal cancer.
  • Oesophageal cancer rates in men have risen by 57% since the early 1970s. In women the rates increased by 9%.

As a recognised and trusted authority in the field of cancer of the oesophagus, we know that with your help we can make significant inroads in the prevention, detection and treatment of this disease by focussing on 5 key areas of action: 

Education

Education leads to a lasting change. We are working hard to influence public and social policy, to lobby politicians, to campaign for change, to promote greater collaboration amongst the medical profession, the public and the government. We are already in the process of developing a network of effective partnerships with businesses, the pharmaceutical industry, medical professionals and other like-minded groups. We intend to effect change and influence how this disease is perceived, detected, diagnosed and treated.

Research

Our aim is to significantly reduce incurable oesophageal cancer in the UK.

Our renowned medical professionals, all experts in the field of oesophageal cancer, will continue to play a key role in research to reduce the incidence of this appalling disease and to increase rates of early diagnosis, which is essential to improving prognosis.

Awareness

Early diagnosis is vital to ensure a positive outcome. We are creating a communication network to facilitate greater awareness of the importance of diagnosing the disease early, identifying the symptoms associated with the disease and seeking medical help quickly. Oesophageal cancer can affect anyone, regardless of their race, gender or age.

We need your help to bring this to the attention of your employees, friends & family or indeed anyone who might suffer from persistent heartburn! 

You can make a difference. Perhaps you know someone who has suffered from persistent heartburn, Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer. Perhaps you run an organisation and would like to help. Why not make it your company’s corporate responsibility?

Support

We will ensure support is available to everyone living with persistent heartburn, Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer regardless of where they live. Information and advice is available to all those affected by these conditions and to the people who support them, on our website, by telephone or e mail, via our online peer support group or by contacting us via social media. 

Evolving

We are not content with standing still; we are determined to develop and grow a sustainable UK charity which continually re-invests to maximise the impact of its resources.

Working with UK businesses and voluntary organisations' our outward facing collaborative approach will ensure we are the first place to come to for reliable, up to date information about heartburn, Barrett’s and oesophageal cancer.

Our Mission...

To be a respected UK source of awareness and information on the risks of ignoring persistent heartburn, encouraging the public to seek medical advice, to champion research to enable an earlier diagnosis to save lives, and to support those living with reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer.

Published: 16th March, 2020

Updated: 8th March, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

The Burning Question...

...Is it really just heartburn? Did you know that persistent heartburn can be an early symptom of oesophageal cancer? Very few people are aware of this potentially life saving information. HCUK work to raise awareness, improve early diagnosis and save lives.

Published: 1st May, 2020

Author: Nikki Foulkes

Location: ,,

Target amount: £20,000.00

Amount raised: £9,570.62

Donate Fundraise

Comments: 0

Related topics:

Latest

  • Walk The Test Way

    Walk The Test Way

    Like Heartburn Cancer UK the Walk the Test Way walk is 20 years old this year. Choose to walk one of five distances from 5 to 25.5 miles along the beautiful Test Way to raise vital funds that support the ongoing life saving work we do.

  • 19 year old Tobias Walks from Lands End to John O'Groats

    19 year old Tobias Walks from Lands End to John O'Groats

    Over the coming months Tobias will be walking from Lands End to John O'Groats in memory of a dear friends father who died of oesophageal cancer.

  • Nicola's Story

    Nicola's Story

    Nicola was diagnosed with Barrett's in her 20's and, following years of monitoring, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in early 2021. Here, Nicola shares her story to advise others on the things she has learnt from her experience.

  • Family Pay Tribute to Their Remarkable Clara

    Family Pay Tribute to Their Remarkable Clara

    Following issues with heartburn and reflux, Clara was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in October 2021. Sadly, she passed away in March this year.

Most read

  • Oesophageal cancer

    Oesophageal cancer

    Oesophageal cancer - Early Symptoms, Causes, Prognosis, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Persistent heartburn

    Persistent heartburn

    Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breast bone, usually caused by acid and/or bile reflux. It is a common symptom - however - if you have suffered from heartburn for more than three weeks and regularly have to take off-the-shelf medicines to relieve it, you should talk to your doctor.

  • Barrett's oesophagus

    Barrett's oesophagus

    Barrett’s oesophagus, often known as just Barrett’s, is a condition that affects the lining of the oesophagus. Cancer of the oesophagus is more likely in people who have Barrett’s.

  • Information for those with acid reflux

    Information for those with acid reflux

    Simple food and lifestyle tips from our resident dietitian that may help to reduce acid reflux and heartburn symptoms

  • Giving in memory

    Giving in memory

    Giving in memory of someone special can be a positive way to celebrate their life, as well as being of great comfort to friends and family. Our tribute funds create a lasting memorial to your loved one and are completely personal to you.

  • LINACRE Trial

    LINACRE Trial

    The Oxford Clinical Trials Unit are applying for funding for an exciting new clinical trial for patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus. Recruited patients will be randomly selected to either continue with life long medication or have a device, called a LINX, fitted at the base of the oesophagus to reduce the symptoms associated with Barrett's.

  • Newsletters

    Newsletters

    Visit our Heartburn Cancer UK newsletter page to read at our current and historic editions.

  • Basingstoke Support Group

    Basingstoke Support Group

    Welcome to the homepage of the Barrett's, Stomach and Oesophageal Cancer support group based in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

  • Buy your greetings cards

    Buy your greetings cards

    Browse a selection of over 1300 greetings cards from our partner, Making a Difference Cards, and raise funds for Heartburn Cancer UK whilst letting your loved ones know that you care.

  • Danny's Story

    Danny's Story

    Danny lost his short battle with oesophageal cancer on the 21st February 2021. His family want to share his story to encourage others to seek medical advice if they have any health concerns.

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

Registered Office
Grove House
Lutyens Close
Chineham Court
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 8AG

+44 (0)1256338668
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Heartburn Cancer UK is registered in England & Wales. Company Limited by Guarantee. Company Registration Number: 07227937
Charity Registration Number: 1136413

Manage Cookie Preferences