When 29-year-old Jemma Lunson first started experiencing reflux and heartburn earlier this year, she brushed it off as something minor.
Like so many young mums, she assumed it was stress, diet, or simply part of daily life.
But within weeks, her world was shattered.
Jemma, the mum of three-year-old daughter Sunni, has now been told she has stage four oesophagus junction cancer – a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is almost never seen in women her age.
Her elder sister, Maddyson Solano, said what makes the diagnosis even harder to accept is just how ordinary Jemma’s first symptoms seemed.
‘She just thought it was maybe her diet or something to that effect, but it didn’t get better,’ Maddyson told Daily Mail.
‘She was taking the standard reflux and indigestion medicine and didn’t really think too much of it.’
At first it was nothing more than heartburn. Then, by April, Jemma noticed food wasn’t going down properly.
When 29-year-old Jemma Lunson from Pimpama first started experiencing reflux and heartburn earlier this year, she brushed it off as something minor
The mother to three-year-old daughter Sunni has now been told she has stage four oesophagus junction cancer – a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is almost never seen in women her age
‘She was starting to not be able to swallow and digest her food. It was getting stuck in her throat and she was having to put her fingers down her throat to dislodge it, just to get it back up. She was starting to choke,’ Maddyson said.
In the weeks that followed, things worsened. Even liquids like coffee and water got stuck.
‘That’s when she went to her doctor and said something’s not right,’ her sister explained.
An endoscopy revealed the devastating truth: a 4cm tumour was sitting at the junction where Jemma’s oesophagus meets her stomach, about 38cm down her oesophagus. Biopsies confirmed it was cancer.
‘The surgeon told her it was very rare for someone her age to have a tumour like this. If it was a woman of 70 to 90 who had smoked her whole life, then yes, common. But Jemma was only 29. He told us he hoped he was wrong – but he wasn’t,’ Maddyson said.
Scans showed the cancer had already spread well beyond her oesophagus.
‘It started in the oesophagus, that’s where the initial tumour was. It has spread through to her whole liver, so her whole liver is covered. It’s also in her right hip bones, and also in her lymph nodes,’ Maddyson said.
Doctors believe by the time swallowing issues appear, it is usually too late.
An endoscopy revealed the devastating truth: a 4cm tumour was sitting at the junction where Jemma’s oesophagus meets her stomach, about 38cm down her oesophagus
‘That’s why we want to raise awareness – because Jem just thought she had heartburn and indigestion, when it was actually the cancer showing itself. Everyone has heartburn at some point, so you don’t think to get it checked. But if it’s ongoing, you must,’ her sister urged.
Jemma’s biggest fear wasn’t for herself. It was for her little girl.
‘Her initial thought was, I have a three-year-old child. That was her biggest thing – what about my child and what about her future?’ Maddyson said.
Jemma and her daughter Sunni are inseparable.
Their weekends are filled with simple joys – morning coffees, trips to the park, drives to the beach.
‘She’s a very family-focused mum. She’d do anything for her daughter,’ her sister said.
Jemma’s long-time partner Ethan Murdoch, who she has known for 15 years and been with for four, is standing firmly by her side.
‘He’s always doted on her, but now even more so. He would do anything for her,’ Maddyson said.
The news has devastated Jemma’s family, who describe her as ‘the most selfless person’ in the world.
‘When I first heard, I felt sad and angry. We just felt broken, really. It’s not fair that someone this age, with their whole life and her daughter’s life ahead of them, has to deal with it,’ Maddyson said.
She recalls the moment their mother gathered the siblings to break the news.
‘Mum sat us down in the lounge room and told us what the diagnosis was. Jemma didn’t want to see us face to face. We just felt shattered.’
For Jemma’s family, the hope is that her story will encourage others to listen to their bodies
Jemma’s long-time partner Ethan Murdoch, who she has known for 15 years and been with for four, is standing firmly by her side
The emotions in the weeks since have been overwhelming.
‘There are times we use dark humour to get through. And then there are times when my husband’s shirt is absolutely soaked because I’ve been crying so much. We’re all going in waves – anger, sadness, denial. There’s no one emotion that sticks.’
Jemma has had a port fitted and will soon begin chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Treatment will take place every two weeks at hospital, alongside at-home infusions. She is stepping back from work to focus on her health and time with her daughter.
For now, eating is difficult and she survives on pureed and liquid foods.
Friends and family have rallied around, cooking meals for Ethan and Sunni, driving her to appointments, and helping with day-to-day needs.
But the family is also realistic.
With stage four cancer, the priority now is giving Jemma the best chance at quality of life, and ensuring Sunni is supported no matter what happens.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover medical bills, rent, and provide financial stability for her daughter’s future.
The family hopes Jemma’s story will serve as a warning.
‘No one really knew about it at the time. She just thought she had reflux. But if you have ongoing heartburn, indigestion, or swallowing issues, don’t ignore it. Get it checked,’ Maddyson said.
While oesophageal junction cancer is rare in young people, doctors warn its symptoms often mimic everyday digestive issues – meaning many don’t seek help until it’s too late.
For Jemma’s family, the hope is that her story will encourage others to listen to their bodies.
‘She doesn’t deserve this. No one does. But if sharing what’s happened to Jem can save just one other family from going through this, then it’s worth raising awareness,’ her sister said.
Friends and family have rallied around, cooking meals for Ethan and Sunni, driving her to appointments, and helping with day-to-day needs
While oesophageal junction cancer is rare in young people, doctors warn its symptoms often mimic everyday digestive issues
What is oesophagus junction cancer?
The oesophagus junction is where the food pipe (oesophagus) meets the stomach. Cancers in this area are aggressive and often diagnosed late because symptoms mimic common digestive issues.
Symptoms can include:
Persistent reflux, heartburn or indigestionDifficulty swallowing food or liquidsFood getting stuck in the throatUnexplained weight lossChest discomfort or choking while eating
The cancer is more common in older men with a history of smoking or heavy drinking.
In young people, like Jemma, it is extremely rare.
Doctors urge anyone with ongoing reflux or swallowing problems to see a GP and ask for further tests.