The proportion of oesophageal cancer cases diagnosed at the most advanced stage has increased significantly over the past decade in England.
In 2013, around a quarter (25.1%) of oesophageal cancers were diagnosed at stage 4. By 2022, that figure had risen to over a third (36.6%). That means 3,348 people were diagnosed at stage 4 in a single year, up from 1,859 a decade earlier.
Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from where it started. It is usually incurable at that point.
The difference that early diagnosis makes is stark. If oesophageal cancer is caught at stage 1, 89% of patients survive at least a year. At stage 4, that drops to just 26%.
Around 9,200 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. Fewer than one in five will survive beyond five years, largely because so many cases are caught late.
The reasons behind the increase in late diagnosis are likely a mix of pressure on the NHS, low public awareness of symptoms, lifestyle factors, and an ageing population.
While survival rates for many cancers have improved over time, progress for oesophageal cancer has been much slower. Better public awareness, faster routes to diagnosis, and continued investment in research are all needed.
If you have had heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss for three weeks or more, please see your GP.
Data source: Cancer Research UK Early Cancer Diagnosis Data Hub.
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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.
