Jenny Mosley’s brother Ade, 53 and her partner Dave, 48 (Image: SWNS)
A man’s life was saved by his brother-in-law after his wife recognised that his persistent heartburn could be a sign of cancer. Jenny Mosley, 56, tragically lost her brother Ade, 53, to oesophageal cancer in October 2018, just six months after his initial diagnosis.
This loss taught her the importance of not dismissing signs like persistent heartburn, which she then noticed in her partner Dave, 48. Dave had been experiencing heartburn for over a decade and had been using over-the-counter antacids to manage his symptoms.
Following her brother’s death, Jenny was determined to take action and registered Dave for a capsule sponge test pilot with Heartburn Cancer UK and Cyted, the device maker. The test revealed Dave had Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer if untreated.
Jenny, from Southampton, Hampshire, believes her brother’s death led to her husband receiving a life-saving diagnosis. She said: “We never connected the dots before. For years, we just assumed over-the-counter treatments, like Gaviscon, were enough, but Ade’s experience made us realise how dangerous ignoring symptoms could be.
Jenny Mosley as an adult with her brother Ade and sister Debbie (Image: SWNS)
“Dave had persistent heartburn for at least eight years, maybe 10, before being properly checked. When we got the results, it was a mix of emotions.Relief that we caught it early. But also fear of what could have happened if we hadn’t taken action. Ade would be proud to know his experience helped save Dave’s life.”
Before he passed away, Ade had been working abroad as an electrical engineer and did not have a UK GP when he began experiencing uncontrollable symptoms. The diagnosis was oesophageal cancer, a revelation that shook the family to the core.
Ade braved chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, but the disease had advanced too far; tragically, only six months after his diagnosis, Ade succumbed to the illness in October 2018. Jenny recalls painfully, “It was heartbreaking to see him suffer. He was so brave, even when the treatment took such a heavy toll. We wish we had known more, sooner.”
Remembering her brother’s vibrant spirit, Jenny said: “Ade was always the life of the party. He was so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard to believe something so serious could be going on beneath the surface.”
Jenny Mosley as a child with her brother Ade and sister Debbie (Image: SWNS)
Prompted by Ade’s illness, Jenny and her family began to reevaluate everyday health concerns like heartburn, which had plagued her partner, Dave, for over a decade. With antacids like Gaviscon becoming a staple on their shopping list, Jenny remarked: “Dave had persistent heartburn for years, Gaviscon was a feature on the weekly shop because he was taking it so much.”
Connecting the dots became crucial and she pointed out a prevailing inconsistency in people’s approach to self-treatment, stating, “If you were taking paracetamol or ibuprofen every day, you’d go to a doctor, but for some reason, we don’t think the same with Gaviscon.”
After stumbling upon Heartburn Cancer UK, Jenny signed Dave up for a capsule sponge test pilot – a straightforward procedure that can be conducted by a trained nurse in a mobile unit or GP surgery, bypassing the need for a hospital visit. The test indicated that Dave had Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition with pre-cancerous potential that could evolve into oesophageal cancer if neglected.
With medical guidance, he started on Lansoprazole, a drug to curb acid reflux and manage his condition. Regular endoscopies are now on Dave’s schedule to keep an eye on any changes in his Barrett’s oesophagus.
Before he passed away, Ade had been working abroad as an electrical engineer and did not have a UK GP when he began experiencing uncontrollable symptoms (Image: undefined)
Jenny expressed her relief: “It’s such a relief to know Dave is being monitored closely. We’ve made lifestyle changes together, and we’re more aware of the importance of staying on top of his health. Ade would be delighted to know that he has helped Dave. He would have been happy that, at least, something positive came out of all his suffering.”
Fiona Labrooy, Chief Operating Officer at Heartburn Cancer UK, commented on the common oversight of heartburn symptoms: “In our day-to-day work, we too often hear of the missed opportunities when people die or get very sick because they’ve ignored persistent heartburn or self-medicate for too long. And it’s always devasting.”
She warned: “For many people, heartburn is a minor issue. But for some, it can be a warning sign of something far more dangerous. Over Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February – and beyond – we hope to encourage people – of all ages – to look again at their heartburn and think seriously about how long they’ve had it and how often they get it.
“If they regularly buy off-the-self or over-the-counter remedies or if it’s been around for three weeks or more, they should speak to their GP practice about it. It might just save their life.”
