Oesophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the gut. The disease is now the forth biggest cancer killer in the UK. Over 8900 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year with over 4000 people dying. The survival rate of this disease is so poor with less than 15% surviving longer than 5 years. This disease mainly effects people in their 60's and 70's. The survival rate is considered poor as this is often detected too late at a stage when palliative treatment is the only option available. So little people are aware of the symptoms associated to this disease.

This is our story

Christine was a beautiful wife and an amazing Mum to her two girls, she was the very young age of 55 and 5 days old when she passed away at her home in Sleaford, Lincs. Christine was diagnosed with Stage IV Adrenocarcinoma in October 2015, the cancer had spread to her Lungs and her Liver. There were no obvious symptoms that raised alarm bells for us as a family other than she had a persistent cough for three months previous which had been treated with antibiotics. This is the fourth biggest killer yet we had never heard of it. We were told that her prognosis was bleak and an timescale of 6- 12 months was given. She was treated at The Parks Hospital in Nottingham and defied all odds with her sheer determination, strength and courage. She was selfless and brave but in March 2018 she lost her battle. She has left such an enormous whole in our lives and we as a family want to prevent this from happening to others. This disease should it be detected early can be operated on and the prognosis is positive. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of this disease, working with Ochre charity in funding some leading research and studies to prevent families suffering in the way that Christine did. Ochre have been working closely with leading Professionals to provide support and funding for research and research fellows to develop new and appropriate methods of prevention and early detection of oesophageal cancer.