6. Lizzie Cundy
For a woman famous for commentating on the pampered existence of footballers’ wives, Lizzie Cundy’s own life is a cautionary tale for any aspiring WAG. WHEN 46-year-old Lizzie was told she had potentially deadly Barrett’s oesophagus, it was a life-changing moment. It’s an illness that puts her at higher risk of cancer and the TV presenter had to radically change her diet. She has regular hospital tests in case the condition turns cancerous.
Barret’s oesophagus is diagnosed when specialists take biopsies of inflamed areas of the gullet during an endoscopy. Pathologists see microscopic changes which have probably been caused by longterm contact with excess acid that has refluxed up from the stomach. The condition ranges in severity from mild and stable, to more aggressive types that can change to oesophageal cancer. About one in 50 adults, mostly men over 50, have Barrett’s. Many are unaware because mild forms cause no symptoms. More severe types cause heartburn and swallowing problems. Fewer than one in 100 turn into cancer. Lizzie has been advised by her doctors to avoid alcohol, coffee, fruit juices, carbonated drinks and curries because they cause acidity. Sufferers should not smoke or take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen. Medicines like omeprazole are used to reduce symptoms. Patients should have an appointment every year or so for endoscopy and biopsies. New advances in treatment mean angrier areas can be subdued with powerful radio waves beamed down the endoscope. But some patients require major surgery to cut away cancerous areas. Many are unaware because mild forms lack symptoms.