What symptoms should trigger a GP Visit?

• Feel full earlier than you would expect when eating
• Reflux that is persistent
• Excessive or unexplained weight loss
• Swallowing difficulties or regurgitating food
• Heartburn or indigestion that is persistent

If so, it might be a good time to visit your GP. The symptoms may be nothing to worry about but it is better to check!

If you have any of the above symptoms your GP is likely to make a referral either to see a specialist, or for you to have an endoscopy (also know as a “Gastroscopy” or “OGD”).

An endoscopy will allow you oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your duodenum to be inspected. There are a number of benign conditions that may cause symptoms, but and endoscopy is the best way of determining whether a cancer is present in your oesophagus or stomach. The endoscopist (person performing the procedure) may take biopsies (tissue samples) at the time of the procedure. You will not be able to feel this. This will help confirm what the diagnosis is. An endoscopy typically takes about 5 minutes to perform.