Today is Lollipop Day 2009, a major fundraising day for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

Thousands of volunteers will sell red heart-shaped lollipops to raise awareness of the disease.

According to the fund, survival rates and outcomes for oesophageal cancer have improved significantly over the past five years, and if oesophageal cancer is diagnosed early enough, around half of patients can receive curative therapy.

According to Prof John Reynolds, consultant surgeon at St James's Hospital in Dublin, the importance of being proactive about gasrtrointestinal health cannot be overstated.

"Any difficulty with swallowing needs urgent attention and this advice particualrly applies to men over the age of 40," he said.

Oesophageal and stomach cancer are together the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland after lung cancer, and ahead of bowel and breast cancer. Early diagnosis remains the key to prevention.

It is eight times more common in men than in women.

There are strong links with chronic acid indigestion or reflux and genetic factors may also be important. Recent research reveals a possible connection between oesophageal cancer and obesity.

For more information, click on http://www.lollipopday.com