There has been a 50 per cent rise in deaths from oesophageal cancer in the last 40 years, making it the UK’s sixth biggest cancer killer, indicates new data from Cancer Research UK. The figures show that 7,600 people died from oesophageal cancer in 2011, compared with 3,800 in 1971. Most of the increase has occurred in men, with 65 per cent more men dying from the disease today compared with the 1970s, while death rates have only risen in women by nine per cent.

Lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking and alcohol, together with persistent acid reflux, have been blamed for the rise. Cancer Research UK chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said: “Many of us will have had heartburn as we overindulged over the festive period, but if you need to take heartburn tablets on a regular basis – for more than three weeks, for example – make sure you go and get this checked out with your doctor.”