By Jane Elliott BBC News Health Reporter

Cancer has transformed Andrew's life

A self-confessed party-goer, he thought testicular cancer was something that would never happen to him.

"It all started with bad stomach cramps. I thought I might have had a stomach infection, so I went to have it checked out. I didn't think it was going to be cancer.

"You watch TV documentaries about cancer, but you never think you'll get it at 18.

Respect

"Being diagnosed with testicular cancer made me realise you have to look after yourself and respect your body.

"I used to drink and smoke. I still drink sometimes - you can't stop living - but I've stopped the fags.

When I was first told that I had cancer I thought the world would end Andrew Wheddon

"I took it as a warning to start looking after myself. When I was poorly the doctor said 'live life to the full' and now I look at life in a different way."

One of the problems with testicular cancer is that many men like Andrew fail to self-examine so do not spot problems, or ignore problems that they do find.

Action

Experts say the condition has a good prognosis if treated early enough and have called on celebrities like footballer Teddy Sheringham and rugby player Lawrence Dallaglio, who posed for risqu� photos, to promote their new symbol 'BlueBoy' .

They hope high profile campaigns will help men like Andrew, from Solihull, come forward earlier.

Promoting the campaign

"I did not self examine. People often ask me why, but when I was 18 years old it was not something that I knew about. If I had known I had to do it then it would have probably been found a lot earlier."

By the time Andrew did go to his doctor he was feeling very ill and his doctor noticed that one of Andrew's testicles was swollen and sent him for a scan.

This showed that he had cancer and that it had spread to his lymph nodes in his stomach.

Two days later he had his testicle removed and started on a six month course for the stomach cancer.

"When I was first told that I had cancer I thought the world would end, but I realised I was going to have to be very strong.

"I had treatment every three weeks. During my chemo I tried to keep things normal, I went to the gym and saw my friends and girlfriend.

"I was told there was an 85% chance the treatment would be successful, but it was the other 15% I had in my head the whole time."

Eight months after the diagnosis he was given the all-clear and is now a healthy 21-year old, but still has six-monthly check-ups.

Testicular cancer - symptoms Hard lump at front or side of testicle Swollen enlarged, or painful testicle Differences in testicles heavy feeling in scrotum or dull ache

"I was over the moon. I went out to celebrate with my mates. After eight months of no drinking I was feeling pretty light-headed after a couple of pints."

Symptoms

Debbie Hutchins, senior cancer information nurse with cancer research UK, said men finding lumps should be reassured that most turned out to be benign.

"Testicular cancer does get a high profile, but there are only 2,000 cases a year which is not a lot.

"The message really is go to the doctor without delay the majority of lumps turn out not to be testicular cancer and if it is then the earlier it is caught and treated the better.

"The outcome is good for this type of cancer. Over 95% of those cases diagnosed at an early stage are treatable.

"I would urge people to come forward and not to be shy. "

A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said young men needed to self-examine themselves more.