Grandfather found disturbing sign of cancer while taking a shower

“In September 2020 I found a lump in my left testicle when I was in the shower,” said Ian.

“Being a typical man, I did nothing about it and didn’t mention it to my wife, Anna.”

But as Ian could still feel the lump a fortnight later, he did the sensible thing and booked a doctor’s appointment.

“It was during Covid, when doctors were not seeing anyone, and I had to describe my symptoms to the receptionist, which I wasn’t very happy about,” Ian recalled.

“However, I did get a call-back offering an appointment the same day.”

Checked over by the doctor, Ian was sent for a scan the very next day and was booked in for a biopsy at the Royal Surrey Hospital.

“When I heard the word cancer it felt like the end of the world; just the mention of that word makes you think you are going to die,” Ian shared.

“But the doctor did tell me that if I had to have cancer, testicular cancer was one of the best kinds to get.”

A week later, the father-of-three had his testicle removed and he began 10 sessions of radiotherapy.

Having looked into the side effects of radiotherapy, Ian was worried his hair might fall out.

“Being vain, I had shaved my head to a crewcut,” Ian said, hoping to avoid clumps of hair falling out.

“But [hair loss] didn’t happen, and I didn’t have any other side effect,” said Ian.

“At a follow-up with the consultant he told me everything was fine, but I would need to be monitored with blood tests and CT scans every three months.”

Ian added: “The following year it was every six months and two CT scans, and now I think I am down to just one scan a year.”

The grandfather-of-five said: “I would like to do whatever I can to raise awareness among men not to ignore symptoms, which I think is a tendency.”

Ian Brown is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2023, in partnership with Standard Life.

It’s the 30th year for Race for Life. Who will you race for? Sign up to your local event at raceforlife.org.