A skiing enthusiast who lost part of his stomach and oesophagus to cancer is urging others with persistent heartburn or swallowing issues to get checked.
Dad of two, John Hatton, now 57, from Leicestershire survived stage 3 oesophageal cancer after undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and life-changing surgery at Royal Derby Hospital two years ago.
He was fit, active, and had no major health concerns except the occasional heartburn which came and went over the years.
Now, two years on from his surgery and during Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February, he is urging others not to ignore persistent heartburn or difficulty swallowing, symptoms he now knows could be signs of something far more serious – after a trip to the doctor in September 2023 with a suspected chest infection led to an urgent hospital referral.
“The doctor came to see me on the Thursday morning and said, ‘It’s not great news really, John. We found a lump on your oesophagus. I’m pretty certain it’s cancer.’,” said John.
He underwent aggressive chemotherapy and major surgery at Royal Derby Hospital, losing a third of his stomach and 8cm of his oesophagus. “It hit me like a ton of bricks,” he said. “I worried about my girls, about not being here for them.”
Mr Ahmed El-Sharkawy, Oesophagogastric Surgeon at Royal Derby Hospital and lead for the OGI cancer multi-disciplinary team at UHDB, said: “Sadly, we often see patients presenting at a late stage when fewer treatment options are available.
“Symptoms like difficulty swallowing — where food feels like it’s getting stuck anywhere along the food pipe — unintentional weight loss and persistent indigestion, or heartburn/acid reflux that lasts for several weeks or especially if it doesn’t improve with medication should not be ignored.
“John’s story, is an important step in raising awareness and encouraging people to seek medical advice sooner.”
Oesophageal cancer is the seventh biggest cancer killer in the UK, yet awareness remains alarmingly low. In 2020, 70% of newly diagnosed oesophageal cancer cases occurred in men. Men also accounted for about 70% of oesophageal cancer deaths in the UK.
Many, like John, dismiss persistent heartburn, unknowingly masking symptoms with over-the-counter treatments instead of seeking medical advice.
In 2022, 824 people were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer at provider hospitals across the East Midlands, with 80% of those being diagnosed at a later stage, meaning treatment options are less effective.
In spring 2025, that led the NHS in Derby and Derbyshire to partner with national charity Heartburn Cancer UK on a targeted campaign in Derby city aimed at urging people to seek medical advice if they have persistent heartburn >.
John shared his story as part of that awareness – and thankfully, his experience has a positive ending. Just seven weeks after completing treatment in 2024, he was in Paris watching the Olympics, and less than a year post-surgery, he was back on the ski slopes.
His next goal? “My daughter might get the chance to compete with her swimming team in Dubai this year. If she does, I’ll be there to watch her. That’s my new target. And I plan to hit it.”
One person who strongly supports John’s message about getting persistent symptoms checked is Prem Singh, Chair at UHDB. Prem – who first joined the NHS nearly 50 years ago and became UHDB Chair in 2024 – was recently treated for oesophageal cancer himself, making this Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month especially meaningful.
“John’s story is so important, and I’m grateful to him for speaking up,” said Prem, pictured below. “My own cancer was picked up because I was already under surveillance for another condition, which also began with heartburn. That monitoring meant the cancer was detected early. It’s a reminder that if something doesn’t feel right, or symptoms persist, getting them checked could make all the difference.”
“Treatment can be tough – I had chemotherapy and major surgery last August – but staying positive, leaning on support from friends and family, and keeping active all helped me through. So did having things to look forward to, like recent time away and seeing relatives. My faith has also been a real source of strength, and it’s important to acknowledge the emotional as well as physical impact of what people go through.
“I returned to work at the Trust in January, and it’s been wonderful to reconnect with our fantastic teams. Having spent my whole career in the NHS, I know how deeply our colleagues care about their patients. I’m profoundly grateful for the exceptional care that saved my life – and I would urge anyone with ongoing or unusual symptoms not to ignore them. Getting checked early truly can save lives.”
This article is from UHDB NHS – Skiing fanatic John urges people with persistent heartburn or swallowing issues to get checked this Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month | Latest news | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS
