Why you must NEVER ignore a sore throat. It’s the symptom that triggered Kim Kardashian’s cancer scare. Here’s how to know when it requires an urgent GP appointment: DR PHILIPPA KAYE
It’s one of the most common symptoms GPs like me see. But, as Kim Kardashian recently learned, ignoring a sore throat could have deadly consequences.
In the new series of her reality show. The Kardashians, the 46-year-old megastar revealed she sought medical help after suffering persistent throat pain.
What she initially put down to her busy schedule, eventually became a serious worry when the ‘killing’ pain did not go away.
After Kim was assessed by medics in hospital, she was told she had oesophagitis – inflammation of the food pipe.
It’s a worrying finding as this is a condition that can raise the risk of cancer.
In Kim’s case it is particularly concerning as her father, Robert Kardashian, died of oesophageal cancer in 2003, aged 59. That potentially puts her at greater risk.
But you don’t need cancer in the family to be in danger. Anyone with oesophagitis could have a raised risk.
This is because, over time, the inflammation can change the cells lining the lower oesophagus.
When Kim Kardashian’s throat was examined, she was told she had oesophagitis – inflammation of the food pipe
These pre-cancerous changes are called Barrett’s oesophagus, which can, in turn, become cancer.
Having Barrett’s doesn’t mean you will get cancer – most people won’t. But the risk is real.
And the leading cause of oesophagitis? Heartburn.
This common condition, which affects up to one in four British adults, occurs when stomach acid rises into the food pipe. Unlike the stomach, the oesophagus has no protective lining against acid, so it becomes irritated and inflamed.
As well as the classic burning feeling behind the breastbone, symptoms can include a cough, a hoarse or rasping voice, chest pain and difficult or painful swallowing.
But, crucially, some people will only get a sore throat, meaning they don’t realise they have reflux until the inflammation has already set in.
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is very often driven by lifestyle. Common triggers include smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or fatty foods.
Carrying excess weight, eating large meals and lying down soon after eating all make it worse.
This came 23 years after her father, Robert Kardashian, died of esophageal cancer at 59 (Above, Kim in an undated photograph with her late father) (Source: Kim Kardashian / Instagram)
There are drugs that can help, such as Gaviscon, which offers short-term relief, and prescription drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, which reduce stomach acid. But they are not long-term solutions.
Instead, I often recommend that, along with cutting out triggers, sufferers should eat smaller meals, more regularly. This is because a less full stomach produces less acid and puts less pressure on the valve at the top of the stomach.
Eat slowly, putting your cutlery down between mouthfuls, as it takes the brain about 20 minutes to register fullness, and stop when you’re around 75 per cent full.
Also avoid eating for two to three hours before bed and try raising the head of the bed.
Not only will these lifestyle changes ease the uncomfortable symptoms, they will also lower the risk of oesophageal cancer too.
This is crucial because, while it can begin with a sore throat, oesaphageal cancer is often missed in the early stages. I’ve seen many cases where tumours are almost blocking the oesophagus before patients and their doctors realise anything is wrong.
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is very often driven by lifestyle. Common triggers include smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or fatty foods
The disease, which kills around 8,000 people in the UK every year, is also on the rise. Cases have rise by more than 40 per cent since 1990, and heartburn is thought to be the main reason behind this increase.
That’s why it is so important that patients do not ignore a sore throat – or put off seeking treatment for heartburn.
GP, author and broadcaster Dr Philippa Kaye
Of course, heartburn (and cancer) are not the only causes of a sore throat. The most common cause is a viral infection, like a cold, which usually clears up on its own within a week.
However, any sore throat that lasts for three weeks or more should always be investigated. The same goes for heartburn or indigestion, a hoarse or changed voice, or a lump in the neck lasting three weeks or more.
Difficulty swallowing, food feeling like it is sticking, pain behind the breastbone, bringing food back up and unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite should also be checked by a GP.
Catching these conditions early can make all the difference, which is why I am happy that Kim Kardashian has chosen to speak out about her diagnosis. I hope it encourages others to do the same.
