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Hugh Flint, 33, is a chemist. He has undergone treatment for testicular cancer.
'I was 26 and still a mature student after working in the steel industry - a typical bloke, one of the lads, quite sporty and into heavy rock.
'I knew my right testicle was swollen, but I kept putting off going to the doctor. What difference would a day or a week make? After three weeks it became so swollen that when I sat down one testicle was squashing the other one - really painful. But I still didn't go to see a doctor.
'In the end I went to the doctor for a different problem - with my chest. When I said, "By the way I've got a swollen right nut", things happened really fast.
'I didn't imagine the two things were related, but it turned out that I did have testicular cancer and it had already spread to my lungs. If I hadn't left it so long my treatment would have been so much simpler. The main thing is, don't give up hope because 95%-odd of cases make a full recovery like me.
'My advice? Self-examine. Get familiar with your bits. Basically, if in doubt, go and see a doctor. Go and get it looked at. The doctor won't say, "What are you doing here, you idiot!" They won't laugh at you. Quite the opposite; it's surprising how many people it affects.'
Your GP sees two or three men a month who are worried about testicular cancer. Many men feel uncomfortable or embarassed, but there's no need.
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