Graham’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer
“I felt like my world had been completely turned completely upside down. I cried uncontrollably for weeks. “Why us? Why him?” Sarah (Graham's wife) asked herself repeatedly.
Graham shares his oesophageal cancer story, along with his wife Sarah, who has supported Graham through it all.
Tell us a little about yourself, Graham
“I’m Graham, I’m 63 years old and I live in Surrey with my wife, Sarah. This year, we’ll have been married 24 years. Up until my diagnosis of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet), I had a very physical job delivering meat to pubs and restaurants throughout London. I felt extremely fit and active.”
When did you start experiencing symptoms of oesophageal cancer, Graham?
“In early 2023, I felt like food was getting stuck in my throat and sometimes, wouldn’t go down. I called my GP, who organised an endoscopy (where a thin tube with a small camera on the end is inserted via the mouth into the top of the small bowel via the stomach). I had a sliding hiatal hernia (where the upper part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm into the chest) so Sarah and I both thought it was something to do with that.”
When were you diagnosed with oesophageal cancer?
“My endoscopy took place on the 10th May 2023. Sarah was called into the room after the procedure was complete and we were both told it was cancer, but further testing was needed to assess what stage the cancer was at and to see if it had spread. I was very determined from day one and still am to this day, to trust the process and believe that I will beat the cancer.”
How did you feel, Sarah?
“Lost and frightened. I felt like my world had been completely turned upside down. I cried uncontrollably for weeks. “Why us? Why him?” I asked myself repeatedly.
Graham blew me away with his determination. He threw himself into every test and appointment with such strength. We found out that the cancer was stage three, meaning it had grown into the outer layer of the oesophagus and spread to three to six nearby lymph nodes, but had thankfully not spread to other parts of Graham’s body. We were told that it could be cured but that it wouldn’t be an easy process. “Bring it on! I will beat this!” Graham told me.”
What treatment did you receive, Graham?

“I had chemotherapy (drugs that work inside the body to destroy cancer cells) for five weeks, which I tolerated well. I also received 23 daily doses of radiotherapy (A treatment which uses high-energy waves similar to X-rays to destroy cancer cells). This really took its toll. I felt like I was swallowing razor blades, and I was prescribed medication to help with this. Thankfully, the pain cleared when radiotherapy stopped.
I also had to undergo fitness testing to prepare for surgery for the cancer. I was told the surgery would be robotic and would take around 11 and a half hours. My surgery date was scheduled for 23rd October 2023.”
Tell us about how you supported Graham through his treatment, Sarah.
“I felt so much better once things started moving. This enabled me to provide more practical support and I no longer felt helpless. I planned meals that could be finely diced or mashed, helped Graham with his prescribed medication and started planning for Graham’s post-surgery recovery. My goals were to help Graham gain weight, stay fit and kick cancer in the bum!”
How was Graham’s recovery?
“Graham’s operation went well and eight days after, he returned home. We were told 47 lymph nodes were removed in surgery, and no cancer was found in them, so the treatment had done its job. The cancer staging had been downgraded to T1 which meant it was in the inner wall of the oesophagus, but no further.
We were both so overjoyed and Graham started to be able to eat normal food again within a matter of weeks. The Christmas that followed was one I never thought would happen, as I watched him tuck into his Christmas dinner. Graham then started immunotherapy (a treatment that uses the body’s immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells) that was due to last a year, but it was put on hold when he developed microscopic colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which causes inflammation in the bowel).”
How are you both doing now, Sarah?
“Life started to feel normal again as cancer no longer was the main topic of conversation. Graham had a follow-up scan, six months after surgery and unfortunately, a mass was found on one of his kidneys. We were reassured that this was a separate cancer and that the affected kidney could be removed.
A biopsy (where a small sample of tissue is taken) revealed secondary oesophageal cancer (where a cancer has spread from its original location to another part of the body). We were in disbelief. It felt like the rug had been pulled from underneath us. In just one conversation, we had to change our thought processes to Graham leading a normal life again to being told that Graham would be put onto palliative care (where the cancer is treated but not cured).
Graham is currently receiving chemotherapy and his latest scan showed that the tumour on his kidney has shrunk. Again, Graham is so positive. He said “I beat it once. I will beat it again.”
Graham, is there any advice you’d give to someone who has been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer or another digestive cancer?
“Stay strong and trust your medical team to do what they do best. Go to your GP as soon as possible with any unusual symptoms, especially if you are a man, as we very often don’t when we should.”
Is there any advice you’d give to someone whose loved one has received a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer or a digestive cancer, Sarah?
“If your loved one doesn’t want to eat then don’t make a big deal out of it. Add calories another way, such as adding double cream and protein powder to milkshakes and if they want trifle for breakfast, then let them have it. It’s very easy to get upset if their treatment takes away their appetite.
I’ve always tried not to be overly fussy of Graham, as to not overwhelm him, but it can be hard to find the balance. I often must remind myself that I’m his wife, not his mother! Try to maintain some sort of normality for them and be sure to have plenty of conversations that don’t revolve around cancer.”
Sarah, how did you balance looking after Graham whilst also looking after yourself?
“It’s been tough. My priority is always Graham and after his surgery, I didn’t want to leave him at all. I now make sure I have some space and see friends and started doing cross-stitching in the winter months. This also helps distract me from constant worry.
If you are unable to head out, make time to chat to your friends. Whether that be on the phone or them coming round for a coffee. Don’t push people away.”
Why do you both feeling raising awareness for oesophageal cancer is important, Sarah?
“So many people asked us where the oesophagus is in the body and so many people have never heard of oesophageal cancer. The more we talk about it and the symptoms, the more people will get diagnosed earlier and treated earlier.
I wrote a book to help me get through the emotional side of things and that really helped me. It helped me to explain to friends what we were both going through. If sharing our story helps anyone, our job is done.”
How can you help?
Each February, Guts UK charity takes part in Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month.
Oesophageal Cancer is a priority for Guts UK charity. It has been over-looked and underfunded for decades. We exist to change that. As the national charity for the digestive system; from top to tail, discover how you can help Guts UK today on our vital mission, and make the future brighter for people like Graham and Sarah, who are impacted by oesophageal cancer.
It’s time the UK got to grips with guts.