Men's Health Stories

He said: “I’d never given testicular cancer a second thought and I’d never checked myself at all, even though I knew all men should. Even when a school friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer, it still never hit home that it could happen to me. I thought it was something that happened to other people. I never checked myself at all, not even once a year.

Then one day I was playing football, and I sustained a groin injury. I had a lot of pain in my right testicle but I tried to ignore it, thinking it would go away. Instead the pain grew worse and it became swollen and sore. I had lower back pain as well but I still told myself it was nothing. Eventually my then girlfriend saw how swollen my testicle was and said: “You are going straight to the doctor.”

My doctor gave me an examination and sent me to A and E. I eventually had an ultrasound scan at St Thomas’ Hospital and from there I was referred to a specialist at Guy’s. I phoned my boss and said “I’ll be in before lunch time.” I was planning what sandwich I’d have and what work I would be doing when I got in.

But within minutes of meeting the specialist he was telling me I had testicular cancer and that the tumour should be removed immediately.

He told me the cancer had been caught early, but there was a possibility the cancer could spread through my abdomen and in that case I'd need chemotherapy. He explained the procedure for the operation.

I felt like I was in a dream. I was so shocked - I couldn’t believe I had cancer. Both my parents were abroad, my sister was at work and it was awful feeling so alone. I couldn’t understand how this had happened – I was young, fit and healthy.

Thankfully the hospital staff were amazing and gave me so much information and anticipated my questions. They explained that I would still be able to have an active sex life, children even. I would still be able to play football.

I asked if there was any chance I could still keep my right testicle but they said it was impossible. I was given the option of having it replaced with a plastic one, but I chose not to – I’ve no ambitions to be a Chippendale!

Less than 48 hours after my diagnosis, it was removed by a surgeon.

I felt nervous about the operation but really I just wanted it over and done with and to have the cancer removed. I held onto the fact that more than 90 per cent of men recover completely.

When I came round from the operation I was in quite a lot of pain but I had morphine to help. It was difficult to pee at first but I was back home with my family within a matter of hours.

I had a six week course of chemotherapy which was gruelling but was soon back to work.

I consider myself so lucky, I’ve had the all clear and I’ve recently got married, it has had no lasting impact on my life whatsoever. I do realise though that I am lucky and that if this hadn’t been caught so early things could have been very different. I would urge all men to check themselves monthly and be vigilant for any lumps. You can check yourself in only 30 seconds in the shower. It is very easy not to think about testicular cancer and to think it would never happen to you – but it could. Why take the risk?

Story supplied by Sandy (aged 32), courtesy of The Urology Foundation