Carlton Hayman, 67, a grocery assistant at Tesco, discovered he had oesophageal cancer after experiencing difficulty swallowing bananas and fried chicken. He sought advice from his colleague, pharmacy manager Nik Thakrar, who had received specialist training from Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Thakrar urged him to see a GP, leading to a diagnosis of a 7cm tumour in his oesophagus.
Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis
Hayman first noticed the problem during a work break. "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," he recalled. After trying a banana and then fried chicken at a cricket match, both failed to pass. His wife Hyacinth encouraged him to speak with Thakrar, who advised an urgent GP visit.
An endoscopy revealed the tumour. Hayman said, "I was in bits." He underwent chemotherapy and surgery in January last year, losing 38kg (from 103kg to 65kg). His stomach and part of his gullet were reduced. Now cancer-free, he credits the pharmacist's intervention.
Pharmacist Training and Partnership
Nik Thakrar, 40, said the CRUK 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." CRUK and Tesco have partnered to train pharmacists in over 350 large stores to recognize potential cancer signs. Customers can drop in without an appointment for private consultations.
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."
Red Flag Symptoms and Public Awareness
A YouGov survey for CRUK of nearly 7,000 adults found one in three who noticed a red flag symptom did not see their GP within six months. Red flag symptoms include: persistent difficulty swallowing, change in a mole, unexplained lump or swelling, unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex, a sore that does not heal, blood in urine or stool, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood. More than 90% of urgent referrals are not cancer, but early action improves outcomes.
Hayman advises: "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."
Barriers to Seeking Help
Mitchell noted that barriers include difficulty getting appointments, other worries, and managing symptoms alone. "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."
Tesco's health and wellness category director Tom Lye said pharmacists are "often a convenient and trusted first point of contact for our customers and colleagues who have health concerns. We're making it easier for them to have health conversations in a private setting without needing to book an appointment."
