Kettering music producer warns others after heartburn turned out to be cancer

A music producer who survived oesophageal cancer is supporting a new awareness campaign in Corby encouraging people not to ignore persistent heartburn.

His experience comes as Heartburn Cancer UK and the East Midlands Cancer Alliance run a new awareness campaign across Corby encouraging residents to take persistent heartburn seriously.

Adam Russell, 56, from Kettering, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer after noticing that food had started to feel as though it was getting stuck when he swallowed.

“I thought it was just one of those things at first,” Adam said. “But when it kept happening, I realised something wasn’t right and went to see my GP.”

Adam’s GP immediately referred him for urgent tests. An endoscopy and biopsy confirmed he had oesophageal cancer.

Fortunately, the cancer was caught early, between stage one and stage two, giving Adam a strong chance of successful treatment.

Oesophageal cancer is often deadly because it’s found late.

It kills 8,000 people a year – three quarters of them men. People often dismiss the early warning symptoms and don’t get their persistent heartburn properly checked.

Cancer of food pipe facts – a killer that hides in plain sight

Cancer of the oesophagus is deadly, especially for men
It’s the seventh biggest cancer killer in the UK – the fourth biggest for men - despite being only the 14th most common. About 8,000 people die from it each year
It’s a cancer that hides in plain sight. People often dismiss the main symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, not realising it's a warning sign that should be properly checked

Adam underwent eight chemotherapy sessions followed by complex surgery lasting nine hours to remove the tumour and reconstruct part of his oesophagus.

“It was a shock,” he said. “You never think something like this will happen to you. But I’m very grateful the doctors acted quickly.”

Adam, who owns two recording studios and works as a record producer and musician in the heavy metal music scene, says the experience has changed how he thinks about health.

Before his diagnosis he had experienced heartburn from time to time but had never considered it could be linked to something serious.

“A lot of people just take antacids and carry on,” he said. “But if something feels wrong, you have to go to the doctor.”

Adam’s story comes as Heartburn Cancer UK and the East Midlands Cancer Alliance have been running a local awareness campaign across Corby focused on persistent heartburn and its potential link to oesophageal cancer.

The campaign aims to help people recognise when heartburn symptoms may need medical attention and encourage earlier diagnosis of the disease.

The campaign has been visible across the town, including adverts on local buses, messages on fuel pumps, features in the Corby Trader magazine and sponsorship of the DriveTime show on Corby Radio.

The Heartburn Cancer UK team also visited Willow Place Shopping Centre to speak with local residents and share information about the warning signs of oesophageal cancer.

Mimi McCord, chairman of Heartburn Cancer UK, said raising awareness of the symptoms is vital.

“Persistent heartburn is often dismissed as something minor or normal, but if it lasts three weeks or more it should always be checked by a GP,” she said.

“Oesophageal cancer is the fourth biggest cancer killer in men in the UK, yet many people have never even heard of it. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more treatment options people have.”