PrOGress to help cancer patients | News

Four of our colleagues are joining forces with a group of patients to form a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by oesophago-gastric cancer.

Consultant Surgeon Nima Abbassi-Ghadi, Consultant Oncologist Madeleine Hewish, Clinical Nurse Specialist Anna McGuire, and Dietitian Fiona Huddy are all trustees of the charity PrOGress , which is set to launch next week.

One of the patients joining our colleagues as a fellow trustee is Stewart Payne, who was diagnosed with stage 3 oesophageal cancer in 2016 after a routine endoscopy revealed he had cancer.

Stewart said: “It was a rollercoaster ride for me, and what was abundantly clear was that more support was needed — not just for patients but also for those caring for them.

“Those diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancer face many challenges, with those lucky enough to have surgery experiencing life-changing results.

“Personally, eating food is a completely different experience for me now. I can only eat little and often, as large sections of my oesophagus and stomach were removed during my 12-hour operation.

“PrOGress will be there to offer practical advice and assistance — not just to patients, but also to those caring for them.”

The charity will also raise awareness of the symptoms of oesophago-gastric cancer.

“I had never heard of this type of cancer until I was diagnosed with it,” said the former Fleet Street reporter from Hambledon.

“When I was diagnosed, I hadn’t experienced any symptoms, and I remember the surgical team being surprised I had not experienced any difficulty swallowing.”

Seven years on, Stewart is now cancer-free and looking forward to supporting others who have been newly diagnosed with the condition.

To find out more about the charity and how you can get involved click here.