Table 1. Participant, healthcare, and disease characteristics.
| Survey participants(n = 127)a | Interview participants(n = 26)a | |
|---|---|---|
| Age, years | ||
| Median (range) | 71 (44–96) | 69.5 (55–88) |
| <60 | 12 (9.4b) | 3 (11.5) |
| 60–74 | 78 (61.4b) | 12 (46.2) |
| ≥75 | 37 (29.1b) | 11 (42.3) |
| Sex | ||
| Male | 102 (80.3) | 18 (69.2) |
| Female | 25 (19.7) | 8 (30.8) |
| Cancer type | ||
| Oesophagealc | 102 (80.3) | 15 (57.7) |
| Gastricd | 25 (19.7) | 11 (42.3) |
| Ethnic group | ||
| White | 124 (97.6) | 26 (100.0) |
| Other | 3 (2.4) | 0 (0.0) |
| Region | ||
| East | 77 (60.6) | 13 (50.0) |
| North East | 50 (39.4) | 13 (50.0) |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Arthritis | 38 (29.9) | 13 (50.0) |
| Cancer — other than O/G | 22 (17.3) | 5 (19.2) |
| Heart disease | 17 (13.4) | 2 (7.7) |
| Lung disease | 13 (10.2) | 2 (7.7) |
| Anxiety or depression | 13 (10.2) | 2 (7.7) |
| Barrett’s or reflux disease | 10 (7.9) | 1 (3.8) |
| Any of the above | 72 (56.7) | 16 (61.5) |
| OTC medication | ||
| None | 79 (62.2) | 17 (65.4) |
| Antacid or similar | 30 (23.6) | 7 (26.9) |
| Other | 8 (6.3) | 1 (3.8) |
| Reported GP consultations | ||
| Nonee | 13 (10.2) | 6 (23.1b) |
| 1 | 56 (44.1) | 10 (38.5b) |
| 2 | 35 (27.6) | 4 (15.4b) |
| ≥3 | 21 (16.5) | 6 (23.1b) |
| Referral route | ||
| Urgentf | 88 (69.3) | 16 (61.5) |
| Routine | 19 (15.0) | 6 (23.1) |
| Other | 9 (7.1) | 2 (7.7) |
| Urgent referral based on GP consultations | ||
| Nonee | 8 (6.3) | 2 (7.7b) |
| 1 | 41 (32.3) | 8 (30.8b) |
| 2 | 24 (18.9) | 2 (7.7b) |
| ≥3 | 15 (11.8) | 4 (15.4b) |
| Cancer stage pre-treatment | ||
| I/II | 59 (46.5) | 12 (46.2) |
| III/IV | 64 (50.4) | 14 (53.8) |
aValues are n (%) unless otherwise stated. Missing data not included bPercentages subject to rounding error. cTumours located in the upper or middle or lower oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction, including both adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. dTumours located in the cardia, fundus, body, antrum, or pylorus. ePatient referred opportunistically, that is, having attended primary care for another reason. fUrgent referral is the 2-week wait suspected cancer pathway.
O/G = oesophageal or gastric. OTC = over the counter.