Hi, my name is Mary Griffin. I am from Kilmaley which is a beautiful village west of Ennis and I am so delighted to be representing the Banner County (Clare) in the 40th Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in June. 

I will be taking part this year in memory of my precious father Brendan, who passed away in November, aged 65, after a tough battle with Oesophageal Cancer. My aim is to raise awareness of Oesophageal Cancer and to raise much needed funds for the OCF. 

Dad was diagnosed with cancer of the Oesophagus in April 2019 after experiencing food sticking in his oesophagus (food pipe) and progressive weight loss. He underwent chemotherapy and successfully came through the eight-hour operation to remove the tumour in September 2019. At that time, he was told that he was cancer free.

Unfortunately, in March last year he noticed pain in his abdomen and we were told that a secondary cancer had developed. This time the consultant told us that treatment would only ease his pain and that he only had a maximum of 18 months to live.

Working from home during the pandemic gave me the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with dad around the farm in 2020 and 2021, which I will always be grateful for.
Ireland has one of the highest Oesophageal Cancer rates in Europe and men over the age of 45 are disproportionately affected. Three times more men than women are diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer with approximately 450 new cases every year in Ireland.
Some of the symptoms of Oesophageal Cancer can be easily overlooked. 70% of people have symptoms for 3 months before seeing their GP. Some common symptoms to look out for are:
Ø Difficulty Swallowing- food sticking or catching after swallowing
Ø Persistent Acid Indigestion/Heartburn
Ø Regurgitation or vomiting
Ø Unexplained Anaemia
Ø Persistent Hoarseness
Ø Coughing, burping, belching or hiccups that don’t subside
Ø Progressive and unplanned weight loss

Thanks to the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon for highlighting all of these worthy causes