A CANCER survivor has spoken about how an awareness-raising charity potentially saved his life as he urges men to check their private parts for a month-long campaign.
John Livingstone, from Colchester, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2017 at the age of 33 years old after discovering a lump not long after marrying wife Aisling.
Prior to his concerning find, he had regularly hosted and attended events at which The Robin Cancer Trust was educating guests on germ call cancers.
The non-profit organisation was founded by Toby Freeman, 32, after his brother Robin died from a rare form of testicular cancer aged just 24.
John, 39, has now shared his story for Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, detailing how the efforts of the Robin Cancer Trust helped him seek medical attention.
“Memories came flooding back to me of feeling a pair of fake rubber testicles at a fundraiser,” he said.
“Knowing what to look for gave me the confidence to know something wasn't right, so I saw my GP who gave me such a thorough examination it brought tears to my eyes.
“It is a day I will not forget and I was then fast-tracked with an aggressive cancer diagnosis and soon discussing options for my own fake rubber ball.
“Thankfully, a discussion on prosthesis is better than being told I was too late. Germ cell cancer moves fast, but I moved faster thanks to the knowledge I had.”
Since winning his battle against testicular cancer, John has become a father to daughter Orla and baby boy is Leo and is now living his life as fully as before.
John added: “I found the more I spoke to people about my experience the more they opened up too - everyone had a story or connection somewhere.
“I’ve come to realise we're all in it together and there's nothing to be ashamed of.
“So, it is with mighty gratitude to the Robin Cancer Trust, and a huge thank you to the NHS, I'm here to tell the tale.
“I have had the chance to become a dad too and I'm also still around to be a husband, son, brother and friend, which I am eternally thankful for.”
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