Andrew Stanley, 67, from Milton Keynes, had heartburn for years. He never thought much of it. Then in 2023, he was diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer.

At first, he was told there were very few treatment options. But Andrew was offered a place on a clinical trial at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. It was a success. He was able to have surgery, and is now clear of cancer.

Andrew wants other people to know his story. He says oesophageal cancer is relatively common, but people rarely hear about it. His advice is simple: if you’re continually taking medication for heartburn, go to your doctor.

His experience shows what’s possible when research leads to new treatments, and when people are given the chance to access them. That’s exactly what OCHRE is working towards.

Follow the Campaign

You can follow the progress of the SILENCE campaign and see it unfold in real time on our OCHRE’s Facebook page.

If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms that won’t go away – please don’t stay silent. Speak to your GP.