Guest Blog | Heartburn Cancer UK for Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month

02 February 2026 — jessica-bailey

Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month is an important time to highlight a cancer that is often diagnosed late, with symptoms that are frequently misunderstood or overlooked, leading to delays in diagnosis. We’re grateful to Fiona Kent from Heartburn UK for sharing their expertise and experience in this guest blog, highlighting the links between persistent heartburn, oesophageal cancer, and the importance of early awareness and support.

Tell us about your organisation? 

Michael McCord always complained of having heartburn and would suffer with symptoms three or four times a week, if not more. Over the counter medication like Rennie and other antacids became a regular purchase in the weekly shopping and Mike would take them constantly to alleviate his symptoms. His wife Mimi said they thought very little of it.

It wasn’t until Saturday 10th August 2002, when Mike was eating a piece of toast and it started sticking, which gave him the hiccups, that he decided to take action and made an appointment to see his GP, telling Mimi that something didn’t feel right.

After an endoscopy, Mike was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, aged just 47 years.

He died exactly nine weeks after he was diagnosed.

His death, like so many, was preventable. Had he known at the time about the dangers of persistent heartburn he could have sought medical help and the outcome might have been completely different.

It was his tragic death that prompted his widow, Mimi, to launch The McCord Oesophageal Cancer Fund (MOCF) in 2003. The mission was to raise public awareness of the dangers of persistent heartburn and to urge people to seek medical advice from their GP if symptoms are present for more than three weeks. In 2010 the charity became Heartburn Cancer Awareness and Support (HCAS) and since 2014 we have been known as Heartburn Cancer UK (HCUK) and are based in Basingstoke in Hampshire.

Persistent heartburn is a significant symptom of oesophageal cancer and also the pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s oesophagus.

Cancer of the oesophagus is growing rapidly in incidence across the UK and is currently the seventh biggest cancer killer. Despite the best modern treatments, survival rates are appalling. This is partly due to diagnosis often being made when the condition is too advanced to be treated; early symptoms are few, often ‘normalised’ and are typically ignored.

24 years after Mike’s death and 22 years of running Heartburn Cancer UK, Mimi is still fighting to stop their story repeating itself again and again.

“His life ended, but if I had known then what I know now, I would have ensured that his persistent heartburn was checked.”

What services do you offer people living with or affected by 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.

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

1. 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.

2. Participating in Research

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

We have a long history of collaboration with leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and institutions to drive innovation and enhance early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of heartburn, Barrett’s oesophagus and Oesophageal cancer.

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.

3. Raising Awareness

We raise awareness about the dangers of persistent heartburn/indigestion/ reflux, 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. 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 followers, connections, friends & family or indeed anyone who might suffer from persistent heartburn!

4. Patient Support

We 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.

5. 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.

Who are your services aimed at supporting? 

· Members of the public: Anyone with persistent heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, plus their family and carers.

· Healthcare professionals: Pharmacists, GPs, NHS Trusts, Cancer Alliances, and other organisations involved in patient care, awareness, and early detection.

How do you cater for people with specific needs? 

We are committed to making our services as accessible and inclusive as possible. Our office premises are accessible for people with mobility needs, and we aim to ensure everyone can access our information and support. We can provide information in different formats and languages on request, and we are always happy to discuss individual needs to see how we can best help. We aim to remove barriers wherever we can, so people feel supported, understood and able to access trusted information.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

The most rewarding part of our work is seeing people take action to look after their health. This can be as simple as speaking to their GP, taking medications correctly, or making changes to diet and lifestyle to manage reflux. It’s also hugely satisfying when someone has an endoscopy that gives them peace of mind – or, in some cases, when our awareness and support help lead to an earlier diagnosis of a problem. Knowing that our work helps people feel informed, supported, and empowered to take control of their health is what makes it all worthwhile.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

We understand that reaching out can feel daunting – you may be confused, anxious, or unsure about what to do next. At the same time, you’re likely looking for answers and guidance.

We’re here to help. Our role is to provide trusted, expert information and practical support, to answer your questions, and to help you feel more confident about the steps you can take for your health. You don’t have to navigate it on your own, we’re here to provide advice and reassurance.

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?

“Following my surgery I became more engaged with HCUK, contributing to the community on my journey through my cancer diagnosis. I have attended their face to face events and met similar people in my situation. It was good to share stories. I am not alone.” – OC Patient

“Just wanted to say a quick thank you for organising a really informative and vital talk last night. I took so much away from it and learnt masses.” – OC Patient

Can you tell us about your team?

We’re a small but mighty team of three here at Heartburn Cancer UK, supported by our wonderful team of seven Trustees. We’re united by a shared mission: raising awareness of persistent heartburn, supporting those affected, and helping save lives through early diagnosis. Though we’re a part-time team, we punch well above our weight – combining experience, passion, and a lot of heart to make a real difference.

Fiona Labrooy, Chief Operating Officer
Fiona has been with HCUK since 2019 and oversees all our activities alongside her fantastic team and supportive Trustees. She’s involved in everything from fundraising and PR to awareness campaigns and support groups. Every day brings a new challenge, and Fiona thrives on variety, excellent communication, and making the most impact possible. Inspired by her mum’s diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus, Fiona is determined to ensure more people understand the link between persistent heartburn and oesophageal cancer.

Jess Harris, Community Fundraising and Support Executive
Jess joined the charity in 2018, shortly after losing her mother to brain cancer. Her personal experience drives her commitment to helping others affected by cancer. While her role is primarily marketing-focused, she contributes wherever needed, bringing her administrative and clinical research experience to the team.

Fiona Kent, Marketing & Communications
Fiona joined HCUK in 2024, bringing 30 years of marketing experience to the team. Fiona has suffered with GORD and was diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus, her experience has strengthened her dedication to raising awareness and helping people act on early symptoms. Fiona is also a qualified well being therapist and volunteers at several cancer charities in Hampshire.

Together, our small but committed team, supported by our Trustees, combines personal experience, professional expertise, and a passion for making a difference – ensuring that everyone affected by persistent heartburn, reflux, or oesophageal cancer can find support, information, and guidance.

What are the values of your organisation and can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

We are a knowledgeable, compassionate and driven charity.

We are committed to raising awareness of persistent heartburn and its link to oesophageal cancer, supporting those affected, and helping save lives through earlier diagnosis.

And finally, how are you funded and what can people do to support you if they would like to? 

Heartburn Cancer UK is funded through the generosity of others. Our work is made possible thanks to a combination of grants, donations, and the incredible efforts of our fundraisers, who give their time, energy, and support to help us make a difference. We are deeply grateful to everyone who chooses to support us – from individuals who donate in memory of loved ones, to community groups, corporate partners, and those who take on fundraising challenges big and small. Every contribution helps us raise awareness, provide trusted information and support, and work towards earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for oesophageal cancer. If you would like to support us you can find out more information here.

You can find out more about the services and support offered by Heartburn Cancer UK at their website www.heartburncanceruk.org.

Further support for oesophageal cancer, and all cancer types, whatever your situation, can be found by searching Cancer Care Map’s homepage using your postcode.