Mum, 38, ‘lucky to be alive’ after ‘harmless symptoms’ led to diagnosis of cancer with a survival rate of just 12%

A NURSE says she’s “lucky to be alive” after her seemingly harmless symptoms turned out to be one of the deadliest cancers.

Rachel Edge, from Bolton, said she could have lost her life “within 18 months” if her illness hadn’t been treated in time.

In 2022, at the age of 38, the mum-of-two was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer – a disease that claims around 8,000 lives in the UK each year, the equivalent of about 22 deaths per day.

Heartburn, a bad taste in the mouth, and chest pain are all symptoms associated with indigestion, and were signs Rachel considered harmless.

But they can also be symptoms of Barrett’s oesophagus – when cells in the oesophagus change and become abnormal – which Rachel was diagnosed with at the age of 17.

The condition isn’t common and sometimes referred to as pre-cancerous, due to its potential to increase oesophageal cancer.

Following her diagnosis, Rachel, who’s now 40, underwent routine endoscopies every two years to monitor for cancer.

It was during a biopsy after one of the check-ups that the killer disease was detected.

She told : “I was extremely lucky that my cancer was caught early so I was able to have treatment.

“I nearly didn’t go to my appointment in 2022 because I was a student nurse and was busy and I was feeling completely fine. Luckily, I went because the camera picked up abnormalities.”

Her biopsy revealed a 17cm tumour in her oesophagus, which required nine-hour surgery involving extensive removal and chemotherapy.

She said: “I had a biopsy which resulted in the discovery of a 1.7cm tumour in my oesophagus. It was a terrible shock.

“What followed was a traumatic nine-hour surgery, involving the removal of two thirds of my stomach and two ribs, and weeks of chemotherapy to get rid of the cancer.

“My spleen ruptured during surgery but my amazing surgeons saved my life.”

Rachel’s doctor told her without the medical intervention she would likely have died within 18 months .

As part of her recovery, she’s still living with some of the after-effects of surgery.

She said: “I now have 150 staples in my stomach and 98 in my back.

“I’m on a high-dose medication to manage the pain and I struggle with fatigue while trying to work as a district nurse and be a mum to my two children.

“I’m also still suffering from the psychological impact of my diagnosis, but overall I feel lucky that my cancer was caught in the early stages and I’m still alive.”

Oesophageal cancer is when abnormal cells in the food pipe (oesophagus) grow in an uncontrolled way.

In the UK, around 9,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, and there’s a 12 per cent survival rate.

Alongside Barrett’s oesophagus, other risk factors include age (being aged 75 and over), smoking, being overweight or obese, and drinking alcohol.

Action Against Heartburn recently revealed some alarming statistics – the UK oesophageal cancer rate is higher than most of Europe.

Experts have underscored the urgent need for increased awareness, research, and support for those affected.

What can you do? If you experience symptoms of oesophageal cancer, see your GP.

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