06 March 2026 | The Gurkha Centre | Hayes | By Hari Bhandari 
The Gurkha Centre recently hosted an Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Afternoon at the Hayes and Harlington Community Centre as part of the “Whatever You Call It” campaign led by RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance during Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month. The event marked the fourth and final awareness session delivered by The Gurkha Centre in partnership with RM Partners, following earlier community sessions on bladder, bowel, and lung cancer.
The session aimed to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer and encourage people to contact their GP if symptoms persist. The campaign highlights that many people may dismiss symptoms such as persistent heartburn, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, or ongoing indigestion as minor issues, when in some cases they may require medical assessment. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes.
The presentation was delivered by Sumita Rai, Health and Wellbeing Officer at The Gurkha Centre and a qualified cardiac nurse, who provided the session in both English and Nepali to ensure the information was accessible to members of the Gurkha and Nepalese community in West London. The talk covered the key symptoms, risk factors, and prevention messages, including the links between smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and oesophageal cancer.
Educational posters and campaign materials were shared with participants, and the session included pre- and post-session knowledge checks, which showed encouraging improvements in awareness and understanding among attendees. Participants also took part in an interactive discussion and Q&A session, sharing experiences and asking questions about symptoms and how to access NHS services.
As part of the programme requirements, the event also included a digital awareness presentation from Superhighways, a charity partner supporting communities to access digital health services. The session introduced attendees to the NHS App, explaining how it can be used to manage appointments, view health records, and access services more easily. Sumita Rai supported the Superhighways team by assisting with community engagement and interpreting, ensuring that participants were able to follow the information and ask questions confidently.
Feedback from attendees was very positive, with many participants expressing that they had not previously understood that persistent heartburn or reflux could be linked to cancer symptoms. The session helped build confidence in recognising warning signs and seeking medical advice earlier.
Through initiatives such as this, The Gurkha Centre continues its commitment to improving health awareness, reducing barriers to healthcare, and supporting Gurkha veterans, families, and the wider Nepalese community to access vital NHS services.
#WhateverYouCallIt #OesophagealCancerAwareness #RMPartners #CommunityHealth #TheGurkhaCentre #Gurkha
