Yate man to do sky dive for testicular cancer charity

Andrew Whitehead wants to raise awareness of testicular cancer, following his own diagnosis at the age of 19

A man who had testicular cancer aged 19 is urging men to "spend five minutes in the shower" checking themselves after he ignored a lump for three weeks.

Andrew Whitehead's cancer spread quickly to his lungs and lymph nodes, and he had to undergo chemotherapy.

The 31-year-old from Yate said he had been "nervous" to get his enlarged testicle checked out and now wants to raise awareness and support for others.

He is doing a sky dive in July for cancer charity, It's In The Bag.

Mr Whitehead was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer after feeling "run down" in October 2012.

He said the clearest symptom was his right testicle becoming very enlarged - when removed it was the size of a small satsuma.

Andrew Whitehead (left) will be completing the sky dive in July

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Mr Whitehead urged all men to check themselves regularly.

"I left the diagnosis a little bit later than I should have in terms of getting myself checked out by maybe two or three weeks, and I think the urgency to get checked out is what I want to say," he said.

"If you see a lump, a change in your testicles, go and get it checked out straight away.

"I know that if I had gone sooner rather than later I may not have needed to have chemotherapy and it may not have spread, so it's the real urgency for men to be aware of checking your testicles," added Mr Whitehead.

Mr White finished chemotherapy at Bristol Royal Infirmary in February 2013.

He said: "I had never really known how to check my testicles before or even that I needed to.

"So if you can nip it in the bud early doors then that is what people should do.

"The way to check yourself is a five minute feel in the shower, that can save it."

Fantastic support

He added his aim was to stop one man having to go through chemotherapy and spread awareness that it can affect young men.

He said: "In the past I've struggled processing things around testicular cancer.

"Mentally it is straining and its hard, and I'd encourage any men out there if you do struggle mentally with a diagnosis with testicular cancer there is help out like from It's In The Bag - they offer a range of fantastic support and that helps a lot."

Mr Whitehead said the prospect of a sky dive is not as daunting as the challenges he has faced already.

"Jumping out of the plane may be the easier thing. I've gone through the harder things already.

"Life does throw challenges at you in all different aspects but it is how you overcome them," he added.