Acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn, is a condition where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach.

Oesophageal cancer develops in the tube connecting the throat to the stomach and often progresses silently. It primarily affects men over 50 and is strongly linked to chronic acid reflux, smoking and heavy alcohol use.

Barrett's oesophagus occurs when chronic acid reflux permanently changes the normal oesophageal lining into abnormal intestine-like cells.