Getting diagnosed
You usually start by seeing your GP if you have symptoms. They will ask you about your symptoms and examine you.
They will then decide about whether to refer you for tests or to a specialist. You have further tests if you have cancer. These tests are to find out its size and whether it has spread. This is called staging.
Referral to a specialist
Your GP should refer you to a specialist if your symptoms could be due to oesophageal cancer.
Screening
There is no national screening programme for oesophageal cancer in the UK. Read more about this.
Tests
You might have one or more of these tests to find out the cause of your symptoms, or to find out the size of your cancer and whether it has spread.