A 56-year-old father from Ashby-de-la-Zouch who survived stage three oesophageal cancer has revealed he initially ignored warning signs because he was not a "big fan" of visiting doctors.
John Hatton experienced persistent heartburn and difficulty swallowing during the summer of 2023 but dismissed the symptoms, relying on indigestion tablets for relief.
"I didn't think anything more about it," he told the BBC, explaining how he only sought medical attention in September 2023 when feeling generally unwell.
That GP appointment proved life-saving, as subsequent hospital tests revealed a tumour on his oesophagus, leaving him "stunned" by the diagnosis.
John's diagnosis came as a shock
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The Leicestershire resident recalled the moment of diagnosis: "It hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm a fit chap, running around, working, driving around the country, going on holiday - everything just comes to a grinding halt."
Following chemotherapy, John underwent major surgery in February 2024 that removed 8cm of his oesophagus and a third of his stomach.
Remarkably, he left the hospital on his 55th birthday after eight days and achieved his personal goal of skiing in Switzerland just ten months later.
"I'm a big skier, and that was quite an important target for me," John said.
John's most recent scan in May showed no signs of cancer, according to his oncologist.
Now cancer-free, he has become an advocate for early detection, urging anyone with persistent symptoms to visit their GP.
"It doesn't hurt to go to the GP," he said. "The GP is happy to see you if you've got indigestion regularly or for a considerable amount of time. Go and get yourself checked out."
The father is focused on making the most of his second chance: "I just want to live life and enjoy life. I've got a 13-year-old daughter, and I want to spend my time with her, watching her do sports and just enjoy life."
Mr Ahmed El-Sharkawy, a consultant surgeon at the Royal Derby Hospital, described John's recovery as "incredible" and highlighted the broader challenge facing the region.
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John has become an advocate for early detection
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In the East Midlands, 80 per cent of oesophageal cancer cases are diagnosed too late, with the disease being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men.
"The vast majority of patients that we see are in advanced stages of the disease, and that's eight out of 10. And as a result of that, we're often seeing poor outcomes," Mr El-Sharkawy explained.
He identified key warning signs including swallowing problems, unexpected weight loss and persistent indigestion or reflux lasting over three weeks.
"We see significant survival benefits when patients present early," he added.
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