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Difficulty swallowing bananas and fried chicken were the first unusual symptoms Carlton Hayman noticed before receiving a shocking cancer diagnosis. The 67-year-old grocery worker sought help from his favourite pharmacist, who advised him to see a GP urgently. He was diagnosed with a 7cm tumour in his oesophagus that had been obstructing food.
Carlton is sharing his story in support of a partnership between Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Tesco, which is encouraging patients to seek help for potential symptoms. A recent YouGov survey for the charity of almost 7,000 adults found one in three who had noticed a red flag did not see their GP within six months.
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Recalling his symptoms, Carlton said: "It just felt like the food wasn’t going down properly. Because there was no pain or other symptoms, I didn’t think it was anything serious at the time.
“I tried a banana and it still wouldn't go down. I went to watch a cricket match and had some KFC, and it wouldn't go down either.”
Carlton, of Coventry, has worked as a Tesco grocery assistant for almost 20 years and was on a work break when the problem first arose. After speaking to his wife, Hyacinth, the grandfather-of-one sought advice from his colleague, supermarket pharmacy manager Nik Thakrar.
Nik, 40, had received specialist training from CRUK in spotting possible cancer signs and supporting customers. He said the training “gave me confidence in what to look out for. With that at the front of my mind, I advised him to go and see his GP as soon as possible.”
Carlton was sent for a 20-minute endoscopy and realised something was seriously wrong when he was called into a private room. A doctor broke the news that he had oesophageal cancer, with a tumour growing close to his heart. Carlton said: “I was in bits.”
He underwent gruelling chemotherapy, followed by surgery in January last year. His weight plummeted from 103kg to 65kg. Carlton said: “They've reduced my stomach, and they've removed some part of my gullet.”
Now declared cancer-free, Carlton wants others who notice unusual symptoms to know that pharmacists can offer quick advice.
He said: “One of the first places I would go is to your pharmacist. Getting an appointment at the doctors’ now can be very difficult. Pharmacists are well trained to deal with such issues. Nik was my first port of call before going to see the doctor.”
Other red flag symptoms include a change in the appearance of a mole, an unexplained lump or swelling, and unexplained bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause.
A sore that does not heal, blood in pee or poo, unexplained weight loss and coughing up blood are also possible signs. More than 90% of urgent referrals will not be cancer, CRUK said, but acting quickly ensures the best possible outcome.
Carlton said: “The minute you feel something wrong with you, seek advice. I spoke to my pharmacist, who knows me so well. And God bless him. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been here speaking to you now.”
CRUK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, that’s why it’s so important to spot cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
“Through our partnership, it’s easier for people to talk to a professional about any concerns, which we hope will save lives.”
Tesco pharmacists at more than 350 large stores across the country have received training to recognise possible signs of cancer, so customers can drop in for advice while they shop.
Tom Lye, the supermarket chain’s health and wellness category director, said pharmacists were “often a convenient and trusted first point of contact for our customers and colleagues who have health concerns”.
He added: “We’re making it easier for them to have health conversations in a private setting without needing to book an appointment. Our pharmacists are on hand in over 350 large Tesco stores to offer support, and help people take the next step if something doesn’t feel right.”
With an ageing population, cancer cases are on the rise. Currently, nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with the disease in our lifetimes.
Whether it’s through your own cancer diagnosis, or that of a friend, family member or loved one, it will impact all of us at some point.
That’s why early diagnosis is so important — finding cancer earlier means treatment is more likely to be successful.
Too many people are putting off getting help. Worryingly, our data suggests that around a third of people who notice a red flag cancer symptom are not going to see their GP within six months.
These symptoms include things like a change in the appearance of a mole, or persistent difficulty swallowing.
There are many reasons why someone might hesitate. Our survey results showed factors include: the difficulty people have getting an appointment, having too many other things to worry about or choosing to manage their symptoms alone.
That's why Cancer Research UK has teamed up with Tesco, to provide in-store pharmacists with specialist training.
They won’t diagnose cancer, but they can listen, provide guidance and support people who might be experiencing potential signs and symptoms of cancer to take the next steps.
The chances are it won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it at an early stage means more treatment options are available and survival for many cancers rises dramatically.
In over 350 large Tesco stores people can have a private conversation with a Tesco pharmacist without needing to make an appointment, including in the evenings and on weekends, to help reach people where they are.
Through our partnership with Tesco, we hope to tackle some of the worries and barriers to seeking help. We want people to live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and spotting it early can make all the difference.