Doctors have been warning to people to visit a healthcare professional if they are regularly getting this symptom.
A healthy body can still throw up unexpected problems, and symptoms that seem minor at first don’t always stay that way.
Occasional headaches or aches and pains often clear up on their own, but ongoing issues can be a sign that something else is going on.
For some people, making small changes to diet, stress levels, or daily routines can help symptoms disappear. In other cases, the underlying cause may be more serious, even if it doesn’t feel alarming at first.
Cancer, in particular, is a subject many people find frightening. However, medical professionals repeatedly stress that outcomes can improve when certain cancers are identified and treated earlier.
Against that backdrop, doctors connected to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK have been using social media to urge anyone with worrying symptoms to speak to a clinician.
A key point being raised is that frequent heartburn may be linked to oesophagael cancer, so persistent symptoms shouldn’t be brushed off.
According to the Mayo Clinic, oesophagael cancer or esophageal cancer happens when cells begin to grow abnormally in the esophagus. The esophagus is the long tube that connects the throat to the stomach and carries food down to be digested.
On X, a range of NHS-linked accounts have shared posts encouraging people to get checked if they notice possible warning signs.
One post reads:“Oesophageal cancer is treatable when caught early.
“Don’t ignore symptoms such as persistent heartburn, acid reflux or difficulty swallowing. Contact your GP practice.
The poster attached to the X post also reads: “You might call it heartburn or indigestion.
“It’s probably nothing. But in some cases it could be a sign of cancer. Whatever you call it, don’t ignore it. If it keeps coming back, contact your GP practice.”
As well as heartburn or recurring indigestion, there are other symptoms that may be associated with this condition.
The Mayo clinic also notes: “Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can happen anywhere along the esophagus.
“Esophageal cancer is more common in men. Risk factors include drinking alcohol and smoking.
“Esophageal cancer treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of the two. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy also may be used.”