Survival rates for oesophageal cancer have shown a 50% improvement over the last two decades, the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) has said.

It is reminding people of the importance of recognising the early signs of the disease, as an early diagnosis can result in more treatment options and better outcomes.

The oesophagus is the tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach. Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include a difficulty swallowing food, persistent acid indigestion, heartburn or reflux.

The OCF is highlighting the disease as part of its 19th annual fundraiser, Lollipop Day. As part of this, volunteers nationwide will be selling lollipops for €3 on February 28 and 29. Funds raised will go towards research into the disease.

The OCF noted that while Irish oesophageal cancer rates remain among the highest in Europe, with approximately 450 new diagnoses each year, a recent study in The Lancet Oncology revealed that survival rates here have shown the greatest improvement compared to six other high-income countries - the UK, Denmark, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Among patients that can be treated with surgery and other therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the survival rate is close to 50%. This figure was about 30% up to 2000.

According to Prof John Reynolds, the national lead for oesophageal and gastric cancer who is based at St James' Hospital in Dublin, the OCF has had an "enormous impact in Ireland" as a result of Lollipop Day and other fundraising initiatives.

"This connection with the public and patients creates an awareness of the condition, its symptoms and risk factors. It also enables cancer prevention, early diagnosis, clinical trials and laboratory research," he noted.

Barrett's oesophagus is a common condition in which there are changes in the cells of the inner lining of parts of the oesophagus. It increases the risk of oesophageal cancer.

The Barrett's Oesophagus Registry and Bio-Bank is funded by Lollipop Day. It currently links six Irish hospitals nationwide, helping to identify at-risk patients earlier and tracking their progress with annual monitoring.

The registry was established over a decade ago and currently holds 7,200 patient names.

"Through the Barrett's Oesophagus Registry and BioBank, the OCF supports strategies to prevent cancer in an at-risk population and allows early detection where it occurs. Funds from Lollipop Day are entirely responsible for enabling us to continue research into oesophageal cancer and treatment therapies," Prof Reynolds explained.

The OCF receives no other funding, so Lollipop Day is the "highlight in our fundraising calendar", noted OCF chief executive, Noelle Ryan.

"If you had told me 19 years ago that what started in the living room in my house, would develop into a national fundraising charity, and would fund innovations like the National Barrett's Registry and BioBank, allowing us to be able to be part of this innovative national consortium almost two decades later, I would not have believed it.

"We could not do this without the generosity and support of the public. We are heartened by our achievements to date, but the figures speak for themselves - there is still so much to do and we cannot achieve it without you," Ms Ryan said.

The OCF is urging members of the public buy a lollipop from volunteers on February 28 and 29, to show support and help fund research into oesophageal cancer.

Meanwhile, the charity recently launched its new website, which aims to educate and support anyone affected by oesophageal cancer. For more information, click here.