A fit and healthy non-smoker received a shocking cancer diagnosis aged just 25.

Jack Carter, from Wheatley, received the life-changing diagnosis of stage 3 oesophageal cancer in 2011 despite having no typical risk factors for the disease.

His life changed as he went from working as a vision mixer for the Sky Sports team in London to scheduling his life around radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions.

He said: “I remember I had a cold in the June of 2010 and a croaky throat. The cold eventually went away but I still had a croak in my throat, and it was a strain to talk at times.

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"I managed to get a hospital referral and after some tests they discovered I had a paralysed vocal cord. I underwent some vocal therapy and it did help to some extent.

“But in September 2010, I choked on some food and coughed it back up and it happened again in the December."

Jack, who was at work, dialled 111 and the operator called an ambulance.

“I had further investigations in hospital and nothing came to much. I remember mum liquidising my Christmas dinner as I couldn’t eat any solid food," he said.

Jack was on holiday in America when his doctor told him to contact him immediately on his return (Image: Cancer Research UK) By the January in 2011 Jack had an endoscope appointment and while on holiday in America was contacted by his doctor who said he needed to see him on his immediate return.

Jack and mum Julie went to the West Middlesex Hospital from their flight and were referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital and received the diagnosis.

"Stage 3 Oesophageal cancer at the age of 25 - which was scary, but at this stage I couldn’t eat properly, I had gone from 11 stone to eight and a half stone, so part of me was just relieved that I had a diagnosis."

Jack underwent four cycles of chemo and 30 fractions of radiotherapy together. He could only take tablets in a liquid form as he could not swallow.

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He said: “Luckily, I didn’t need surgery and doctors said as I was young and fit it put me at an advantage.

Jack Carter, now 39 and cancer-free, with mum Julie (Image: Cancer Research UK) "But my cancer journey has taught me to live life to the full and not to worry about the small stuff that happens in life."

Jack, who is now 39 and cancer-free, believes he owes his life to the love and support of his family, especially his mum, Julie, and dad, Roger.

He is backing Stand Up to Cancer's fundraising campaign with Channel 4, asking people to do the 100 squats a day challenge this November.

With around 55,800 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the Oxford area, the need to make faster advances is clear.

Jack said: "All I can do is raise awareness and support the work of those trying to find that all important cure so other 25 year olds don’t have to go through what I did.”