Widow shares warning signs of cancer that killed husband, 42, six weeks after diagnosis
Cancer takes root silently over the course of months, if not years – explaining why the disease often goes undetected until it has spread.
Unfortunately, this was the case for Dan Griffiths, 42, who was working through packets of antacids daily for months before his oesophagus cancer diagnosis.
Even once he’d developed an unexplained cough and had lost interest in food, doctors continued saying the cough was nothing to worry about.
But after a theme park ride at Alton Towers in March 2025, Dan noticed a new backache which prompted a new set of doctor investigations.
Dan died six weeks after his diagnosis
|
CANCER
The pain continued to worsen over the following months, however, until a scan ordered to investigate a suspected ruptured ulcer revealed oesophageal cancer had already spread to the bone, explaining the pain in his back.
Dan died six weeks after the diagnosis on October 8th, 2025, leaving behind his children, including a two-year-old son. He requested that his experience be shared to help others spot the disease early.
His partner Lisa has detailed his story in hope that other people living with heartburn, reflux or unexplained weight loss will speak to a doctor.
“I don’t want another family to go through what ours has,” she said.
The NHS also confirms that anyone living with heartburn lasting more than three weeks, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite should seek a medical opinion.
Often doctors request a referral for an endoscopy; a medical procedure when a long, thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the throat to see what’s inside the body.
The earlier the procedure is carried out, the better, given how quickly the disease progresses once symptoms escalate.
Lisa hopes that sharing her husbands story will help others spot the disease early
|
HEARTBURN CANCER UK
The main difficulty in catching is that persistent heartburn, reflux, cough and unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite, closely mimic other common and less serious conditions.
This is particularly important given that the disease remains a major health condition in the United Kingdom, which has one of the highest incidence rates of oesophageal cancer in the world.
Overall numbers remain largely stable, but the UK rate still significantly surpasses that of most of its neighbouring European countries.