The 6 hidden signs of a deadly cancer that masks as sore throat after The Voice star dies just 8 weeks after diagnosis

THE Voice UK contestant Dean Franklin has died aged 36, just eight weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer. 

The London-born star, who was mentored by Paloma Faith in 2016, announced last month that he was starting chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer.

He is survived by his 17-year-old daughter. 

Taking to Facebook, Dean’s mother Marie announced the heartbreaking news, writing: “As a family we are truly heartbroken to announce that our precious boy who fought so courageously over 8 weeks and 3 days passed over at 21.39pm last night.”

Oesophageal cancer is considered a less common type of cancer, compared to the likes of breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancer.

But figures show that rates of the cancer across the UK are higher than most countries in Europe, including Spain, France and Germany.

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According to recent data from Digestive Cancers Europe, analysed by the charity Action Against Heartburn, the UK has 14.2 cases of the cancer per 100,000 people compared to 3.5 in Italy, 4.4 in Spain, 7 in France and 7.7 in Germany.

Oesophageal cancer develops in the oesophagus, known as the food pipe in the throat.

It’s often diagnosed late due to vague initial symptoms, leading to poor outcomes for patients.

The most common symptoms of oesophageal cancer are difficulty
swallowing, unexplained weight loss, indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t go away and pain in your throat or behind your breastbone.

However, Dr Jason Chow, a consultant medical oncologist at Cromwell Hospital, has also warned of some of the more hidden symptoms related to the cancer – ones that can be less common.

These include:

Risk factors that increase the chance of the disease include smoking, drinking and being obese.

People who suffer from chronic heartburn or indigestion may also be more likely to develop the cancer, and it can also be a symptom once the tumour has started to grow.

In the UK, around 9,200 people are diagnosed each year and a tragic 80 per cent die within five years.

Earlier this month, Action Against Heartburn also warned that the proportion of people diagnosed at stage 4, when the cancer has already spread, has risen 46 per cent since 2013.

More than a third of patients now do not find out until it is too late for a cure.

Professor Sheraz Markar, NHS surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals, said: “If you experience any of these symptoms then we recommend that you see your GP.

“There are good treatment options if it’s caught early, but it becomes much more difficult once it has spread.”

Dean used Instagram to chronicle his journey with oesophageal cancer and was met with support from his metor Paloma and The Voice host Emma Willis. 

After Paloma wrote: ‘You are so brave xxx’ last month, Dean replied: “Thank you for the love, P. I’m holding onto every bit of it right now”. 

Just a week ago he shed light on the pain he experienced, writing on Instagram: “The liver pain has been honestly unbearable, especially throughout the night. I’m hoping tonight’s a breakthrough”.  

The singer started a Go Fund Me page last month in a bid to create financial security for his family, in particular his daughter.

The page has raised over £31,000 at time of publication.