Rab Connell knew something was wrong when he began struggling to swallow. Months later, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 hypopharyngeal throat cancer. His surgery saved his life — but changed it forever.
Rab Connell first began experiencing difficulty swallowing in September 2024.
He knew something was not right. He made several visits to his GP and continued to push for answers. After numerous tests and scans, Rab was diagnosed with Stage 4 hypopharyngeal throat cancer in March 2025.
It was devastating news.
Because of the size and nature of the tumour, Rab was told that the only realistic option to save his life was major surgery. Without it, he was told he may only have had three to six months to live.
The operation that followed was not only life-saving. It was life-changing.
Surgeons removed major structures in Rab’s throat, including his voice box and thyroid. They reconstructed his food and drink passage using tissue from his leg and created a permanent stoma in his neck, meaning Rab now breathes through an opening in his neck.
For most people, that is almost impossible to imagine.
The surgery saved Rab’s life, but it also meant learning how to live in a completely different way. He had to adapt to life without his natural voice. He had to adjust to eating and drinking differently. He had to learn how to breathe through a stoma.
Ordinary daily routines — the things most of us do without thinking — suddenly became very different.
This is the reality of throat cancer that too many people never see.
Rab’s operation was highly complex and relatively rare. Because of the nature of his surgery and his journey, Rab was given the opportunity to have his story and surgery filmed for the BBC documentary series Surgeons: At the Edge of Life.
He chose to do it for an important reason.
Rab wants people to understand throat cancer. He wants people to see what it can mean. He wants people to know that symptoms such as difficulty swallowing should not be ignored.
And above all, he wants more people talking about a cancer that still does not get the attention it deserves.
At the Throat Cancer Foundation, we know how important stories like Rab’s are.
They are not easy stories to tell. They are not easy stories to watch. But they matter, because awareness can change outcomes.
Too many people still do not know the signs of throat cancer. Too many symptoms are dismissed, delayed or misunderstood. Too many people only learn about throat cancer when it has already changed their life, or the life of someone they love.
Difficulty swallowing is one of the symptoms that should always be taken seriously, especially if it is persistent or getting worse.
Other possible symptoms of throat cancer can include a persistent sore throat, changes to the voice, a lump in the neck, ear pain, unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, or pain when swallowing.
These symptoms do not always mean cancer. But if they do not go away, they should be checked.
Rab’s story is a reminder of why people must keep pushing when they know something is wrong.
It is also a reminder of the extraordinary skill of surgical teams, the resilience of patients, and the strength it takes to rebuild life after throat cancer.
Rab lost his natural voice. But by sharing his story, he is still speaking — clearly, powerfully, and for others who may one day need to hear it.
Rab’s episode of Surgeons: At the Edge of Life airs on BBC Two on Wednesday 3 June at 9:00pm, and on BBC Scotland on Monday 8 June at 9:00pm.
We are grateful to Rab and his family for allowing people to see his story. It takes courage to go through what he has been through. It takes even more courage to share it with the world.
Please watch Rab’s story if you can. And please share this article so more people understand the signs, the impact, and the reality of throat cancer.
If you or someone you know has persistent throat symptoms, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, or a lump in the neck, do not ignore it. Speak to your GP and keep asking for answers if something does not feel right.
