I’m sharing Dean’s story because if just one person recognises the signs earlier than we did, then something positive can come from the heartbreak our family has experienced.
Dean was just 37 years old. He was full of life, loved singing, and always had plans for the future. Like so many families, we never imagined that something as common as heartburn could be a sign of something so serious. We trusted that the medication he was prescribed was managing the problem, and we had no reason to think otherwise.
Looking Back, The Signs Were There
Looking back now, there were signs that something wasn’t right, it’s impossible not to wonder if things could have been different.
Dean had suffered with heartburn for several years. Each time he saw his GP, the answer was usually another prescription for omeprazole. As he wasn’t experiencing difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck, there didn’t seem to be any urgency to investigate further.
Dean was also a singer, and every now and then he would develop a hoarse or scratchy voice. We all assumed it was simply because of his singing. It wasn’t until after he died that I looked back through our messages and found one from 2024 where he’d mentioned his “scratchy voice”. At the time, neither of us thought it could mean anything more.
When Everything Changed
By early September 2025, everything began to change. Dean developed severe pain across his lower back and stomach and went to his local A&E. After being examined, gastroenteritis was suspected. No blood tests were taken, and he was sent home with antibiotics and codeine.
The pain didn’t improve. His GP later prescribed naproxen, believing it was back pain. Dean tried everything to ease it – heat pads, hot water bottles – but nothing helped.
By mid-November, he returned to his GP and was told he would be referred for an ultrasound, although he was warned it could take around six weeks.
Just a few weeks later, the pain became unbearable. Dean called 111 and was advised to go straight to A&E, where it was thought he might have gallstones.
Instead, further investigations revealed the news no family is ever prepared to hear. Dean was diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer that had already spread to his liver and lymph nodes. At just 37 years old, our world changed in an instant.
Tragically, Dean passed away in February 2026, just eight weeks after his diagnosis.
The Message I Want Everyone To Hear
If our family’s experience can teach one lesson, it’s this: don’t settle for being told it’s “just heartburn” if you feel something isn’t right and your symptoms aren’t improving.
Keep going back. Keep asking questions. Demand further investigations. If you’re still living with unexplained symptoms, don’t accept reassurance alone – ask what else could be causing them and what tests are available. You know your own body better than anyone else, so trust your instincts and don’t stop advocating for yourself until you have the answers you need.
Since losing Dean, I’ve read so many stories from people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, and other cancers, who did exactly what they were supposed to do. They went to their GP, sometimes repeatedly, but were reassured or treated for something less serious while their symptoms continued. That’s why I’m urging you not to give up. If your symptoms aren’t going away, keep going back. Keep asking questions. Keep pushing for answers. Demand the investigations you need. Early diagnosis can make all the difference.
Dean was just 37 when he was diagnosed. Oesophageal cancer is too often thought of as a disease that only affects older people, but that’s simply not the case. More younger adults are being diagnosed, and no one should be denied timely investigations simply because of their age.
If sharing Dean’s story encourages even one person not to accept unanswered symptoms, to push for investigations, and ultimately receive an earlier diagnosis, then his legacy will live on.
You can read Dean’s story here: Dean Franklin’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer – Heartburn Cancer UK
