Heartburn Cancer UK

03/11/2026

The Capsule Sponge test is helping to change how we detect and monitor Barrett’s oesophagus – but access still varies across the UK.

At a recent Heartburn Cancer UK patient information event, Basirat Afinowi from Cyted Health shared an update on how the test is being used, where access is expanding and what needs to happen next.

From hospital services and GP-led projects to community pharmacy pilots, there are encouraging developments. But there is still a postcode lottery, with access differing depending on where people live.

So what could help make the test more widely available? And what role could updated clinical guidance, NICE assessment and learning from existing projects play?

Read our latest blog to find out more about the progress being made and the work still needed to improve access to earlier detection.

🧡 Read the blog: https://heartburncanceruk.org/blog/how-the-capsule-sponge-test-is-expanding-access-to-early-detection/

02/11/2026

🧡 What a wonderful way to bring people together, raise funds and awareness and to show support

Over the weekend, John Robertson held a Burns Day sponsored trail walk to raise funds to support him and his family as he faces stage 4 oesophageal cancer.

An incredible £1,400+ was raised through the event – a fantastic achievement and a testament to the kindness and generosity of everyone who took part and donated.

At Heartburn Cancer UK, we are thinking of John and his family and sending them our very best wishes. Thank you to everyone who came together to support them. 🧡

02/11/2026

🧡 Our thoughts are with Kirsty Matthews and her family following the heartbreaking news that her oesophageal cancer has returned and is now incurable.

Just months after being given the all-clear, the 43-year-old mum of three received the devastating news in September that her cancer had returned. Kirsty and her partner, Sam, are now doing everything they can to make precious memories with their children, aged 16, 11 and just three.

Kirsty is continuing to explore her treatment options, including clinical trials, while supporters have rallied around the family to help ease some of the financial pressures they are facing.

We send Kirsty, Sam and their children our very best wishes and hope they feel surrounded by love and support during this incredibly difficult time.

Kirsty has also shared an important message for others: if you are concerned about changes in your health, please seek medical advice. She experienced difficulty swallowing, weight loss and vomiting before her diagnosis.

Persistent heartburn or indigestion for three weeks or more, difficulty swallowing or food sticking should never be ignored. Please speak to your GP.

🧡 Read Kirsty's story and find out more about the family's fundraising appeal:

Kirsty Matthews, 43, was told she was cancer-free in April but now faces an incurable diagnosis as supporters raise money to help her family.

31/10/2026

🎃 Don’t Let Heartburn Haunt You This Halloween! ❤️‍🔥

This Halloween, the scariest thing shouldn’t be persistent heartburn. While it’s usually nothing sinister, regular heartburn isn’t normal and should be checked.

If you’ve had heartburn for 3 weeks or more, talk to your GP and chase away those spooky symptoms before they become a bigger problem.

👻 Early diagnosis saves lives!

30/10/2026

🧡 Earlier detection of oesophageal cancer is becoming a reality for more people at higher risk.

In a new interview with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald discusses the progress being made in the earlier detection of oesophageal cancer and the important role of the capsule sponge test.

Rebecca, our trustee and director at Heartburn Cancer UK, has been instrumental in developing this simple, patient-friendly test, which can be carried out in a community setting without the need for an initial endoscopy.

The capsule sponge test can help identify Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer. Finding Barrett’s and precancerous changes earlier can create opportunities for monitoring and treatment before cancer develops or while it is at an early stage.

The interview also highlights the challenges that remain in making the test more widely available, including integrating it into routine clinical practice and ensuring more people at higher risk can benefit.

We’re proud to support the work being done to improve earlier detection, and it’s encouraging to see the progress recognised by ESMO. 🧡

📰 Read the interview with Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald:
https://www.esmo.org/insights-by-esmo/all-news/early-cancer-detection-of-oesophageal-cancer-is-becoming-a-reality-for-many-high-risk-patients

Recipient of the 2026 ESMO Award, Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald discusses how a patient-friendly test has enabled a greater number of patients to be screened

30/10/2026

🧡 Earlier detection of oesophageal cancer is becoming a reality.

We’re delighted to see Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald featured in a new interview with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), following her receipt of the prestigious 2026 ESMO Award for her outstanding contributions to cancer prevention and early detection.

Rebecca is a Director and Trustee of Heartburn Cancer UK, as well as Professor of Cancer Prevention and Founding Director of the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge.

In the interview, Rebecca discusses the progress being made in detecting oesophageal cancer earlier, including the development of the capsule sponge test – a simple, patient-friendly test that can be carried out in a community setting without the need for an invasive endoscopy.

By helping identify people at higher risk of oesophageal cancer, the test has the potential to make earlier detection accessible to more people, when treatment may be more effective and the chances of a cure are greater.

Rebecca also highlights the challenges of making the test available through routine clinical practice and her hope for a future where earlier diagnosis enables more people to receive curative treatment.

We’re incredibly proud of Rebecca and the groundbreaking work she continues to lead. Her achievements represent important progress towards a future where oesophageal cancer can be detected earlier, giving more people the opportunity for better outcomes. 🧡

🔗 Read the full interview with ESMO: https://www.esmo.org/insights-by-esmo/all-news/early-cancer-detection-of-oesophageal-cancer-is-becoming-a-reality-for-many-high-risk-patients

Recipient of the 2026 ESMO Award, Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald discusses how a patient-friendly test has enabled a greater number of patients to be screened

29/10/2026

🧡 From a childhood story to a cancer diagnosis – and a wonderful way to give back.

More than 40 years ago, aged just 12, Ian Sockett wrote a story about a character called Percy the Sugar Pig. His English teacher entered it into a competition to create a bedtime story for the newly born Prince William, and Ian’s story was chosen and published in the Hereford Times on 1 June 1982.

Decades later, following a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer in March 2024, Ian rediscovered the original newspaper cutting and was inspired to bring Percy back to life.

The result is Percy’s Adventures, a new collection of children’s stories celebrating imagination, humour and the joy of storytelling.

Ian, a keen long-distance runner who previously completed 13 marathons and raised more than £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, described his chemoradiotherapy treatment as tougher than any race he had ever faced. Thankfully, he responded well to treatment and has since returned to running.

What makes this story especially heartwarming is Ian’s decision to give back to the hospital that cared for him. 🧡 Every penny raised from sales of his book will support radiotherapy services at the Macmillan Renton Unit at Hereford County Hospital, helping to fund vital cancer care for people in his local community.

It’s a wonderful example of how personal experiences can inspire people to make a difference for others facing cancer, with local businesses and organisations also coming together to support Ian’s project.

We wish Ian every success with Percy’s Adventures and his hope of one day sharing Percy’s story with Prince William himself!

📖 Read Ian’s inspiring story in the Hereford Times: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cancer-scare-brings-story-written-050000835.html

A childhood story first published in the Hereford Times has been brought back to life more than 40 years later.

28/10/2026

🏃‍♀️ Planning a fundraising challenge for 2027? We’d love you to be a Heartburn Hero! 🧡

We’re starting to put together our fundraising events for 2027, with opportunities ranging from ultra challenges and Tough Mudders to marathons and half marathons.

We’d love you to take on a challenge for Heartburn Cancer UK and help us raise vital funds and awareness of oesophageal cancer.

🏅 Spotlight on the Cardiff Half Marathon – Sunday 3 October 2027!

Looking for your next running challenge? The Cardiff Half Marathon is a fantastic event, with a flat, fast course taking you past some of the Welsh capital’s most iconic sights, including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium and beautiful Cardiff Bay.

With thousands of spectators lining the route to cheer you on, you can expect an incredible atmosphere to keep you going all the way to the finish line! Whether you’re an experienced runner or taking on your first half marathon, it’s a brilliant opportunity to challenge yourself while supporting a cause that matters.

🧡 Run for Heartburn Cancer UK and become a Heartburn Hero!

👉 Find out more and sign up: https://heartburncanceruk.org/event/cardiff-half-marathon-2027/

We’ll be adding more fundraising events to our website over the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our events page if you’re thinking about taking on a challenge next year.

Every mile, every donation and every bit of support helps us make a difference. We’d be incredibly grateful to have you on our team! 🧡

27/10/2026

🧡 “We couldn’t have wished for a better night.”

It’s lovely to see Dan’s Day featured in the Redditch Standard, sharing the story of a very special evening held in memory of Daniel Griffiths, who sadly died from oesophageal cancer aged just 42.

We were so pleased to be there and see the incredible support shown for Dan and his family on 8 October, the first anniversary of his death.

Organised by Dan’s fiancée Lisa and colleagues at The Royal Enfield in Redditch, the evening brought together family, friends and the local community for Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a poignant balloon release in Birmingham City’s blue and white colours, in honour of Dan’s beloved team.

The event raised an amazing £777.09 for Heartburn Cancer UK. 🧡

As organiser Aleisha Parkins explained, the evening exceeded all expectations, with so many people coming together to remember Dan, share stories and celebrate his life. It’s wonderful to hear that the team are now hoping to make Dan’s Day an annual event.

We’re incredibly grateful to Lisa, Aleisha, the team at The Royal Enfield and everyone who attended or donated. Your support means so much to us and helps us continue raising awareness of the early signs of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer.

Thank you for keeping Dan’s memory alive and helping us make a difference in his name. 🧡

📰 Read the full story in the Redditch Standard:
https://redditchstandard.co.uk/news/dans-day-charity-night-at-redditchs-royal-enfield-exceeded-expectations/

🧡 Read Dan’s story:
https://heartburncanceruk.org/your-stories/dans-story/

27/10/2026

🧡 Have you had a cancer diagnosis? Take part in research to help improve cancer care.

Researchers at the University of Southampton need your help to develop a short screening tool that will identify the needs of people diagnosed with cancer, helping ensure care and support are better tailored to individuals.

You could make a difference by completing a short online survey.

Who can take part?

✅ Aged 18 or over
✅ Living in the UK
✅ Have had a cancer diagnosis
✅ Able to complete the survey in English

The survey takes just 10–15 minutes to complete, and your feedback will help shape a tool designed to improve support for people affected by cancer.

👉 Find out more and take part:
https://heartburncanceruk.org/blog/help-shape-a-new-screening-tool-to-improve-cancer-care/

Please share this post to help reach others who may be able to contribute. 🧡