A woman from Southampton is urging people not to ignore persistent heartburn after it claimed her brother’s life and nearly cost her husband his.

Jenny Mosley lost her brother Ade in October 2018. He was 53. Doctors diagnosed him with oesophageal cancer just six months earlier. For years, he had dismissed his frequent heartburn as nothing more than indigestion.

After his death, Jenny began to worry about her husband Dave, then 48. He had also suffered with daily heartburn for almost a decade. He relied on Gaviscon and other remedies from the chemist and carried on as normal.

However, Ade’s experience prompted Jenny to push Dave to see his GP. Tests revealed Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that can sometimes develop into oesophageal cancer. The diagnosis brought relief and fear in equal measure. The danger had been caught early, but only just.

Barrett’s oesophagus often causes long-term reflux. People may notice burning in the chest, nausea, or pain high in the abdomen. Some report a persistent sore throat or metallic taste. Dave, however, only had heartburn.

His condition was picked up with a simple capsule sponge test, developed with Heartburn Cancer UK. He swallowed a small capsule, which released a sponge that collected cells from his oesophagus. These were then examined for signs of damage.

Dave now takes medication to control acid reflux and has regular endoscopies. The couple have also changed their lifestyle.

Jenny believes Ade “saved” her husband’s life. She hopes their story will encourage others to take stubborn heartburn seriously and seek medical advice, rather than endlessly reaching for antacids.