Programme 1: Testicular Cancer

Programme Outline

No one knows the cause of testicular cancer. Every year in the UK the number of men diagnosed with the disease is rising. If caught early enough, removing the affected testicle is all that's needed for recovery. The programme falls into two main sections:

Section 1: Five men's experiences of testicular cancer
Section 2: What the future holds for each

00.00-03.05

Section 1: Five men's experiences of testicular cancer

Gary's story

Gary is a local radio presenter. He discovers a lump on one of his testicles and cancer is diagnosed. He has the testicle removed. During the operation, the surgeons discover the cancer has spread and so he has to have a course of chemotherapy over three months.

03.06-03.44

Ryan's testimonial

A 20-year-old male who didn't smoke, was physically active, had a good diet and drank little, describes how one day he collapsed. The cause was testicular cancer, which had spread throughout his body resulting in him having to have intensive chemotherapy for eight months. He describes himself at the time as being the last person to think he might have something like testicular cancer. Now he urges men to check their testicles regularly and to go to a doctor as soon as they find anything wrong.

03.45-06.54

John's story

John, 39, thought he had a strain through manual lifting. Testicular cancer is diagnosed and he is admitted to hospital for an emergency orchidectomy on the left testicle and a biopsy on the right testicle. The complete procedure from examination to removal of the testicle is shown. John is stoical believing that everyone involved knows what they are doing. He was given painkillers and says he didn't feel much pain.

06.55-08.55

Gary's story continued

Gary undergoes chemotherapy for a period of 12 weeks and regrets never having checked himself in his life. He describes his vulnerable emotional state but is determined to get on with life and adopt a positive attitude.

08.56-9.49

Examining your testicles - the procedure

Colin, who found a lump on his testicle six years ago, emphasises the importance of men examining their testicles after a hot bath or shower. He describes the process and what people should be on the look out for.

09.50-13.56

Martin's story

Martin was 15 when he felt extreme pain in his side. At first it was thought it was appendicitis. He went to different doctors and by the time testicular cancer was diagnosed the cancer had spread to the lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Two years after diagnoses, Martin has an operation to remove cancerous growths in his stomach and right lung. A further growth is discovered on part of his left lung. Martin's mother says seeing her son being diagnosed is worse than being diagnosed with cancer herself. Martin describes how devastated he was initially but takes heart in the fact he is still alive two years on.

13.57-23.26

Section 2: The future

A month after his chemotherapy Gary is waiting for a scan, which will become part of a regular process. He emphasises there is no time to be embarrassed about examining your testicles or going to see a doctor if worried - it's too important not to.

John is back for a checkup 14 days after the operation and the good news is that the cancer has been removed before it had time to spread.

Gary's scan still shows lesions, but they are smaller. Although they appear to be shrinking they will need to be monitored and further surgery may be required.

Two months after his operation Martin visits schools to make young people aware of the importance of checking 'their balls' once a month.

Andy, diagnosed at 15, was embarrassed at the time because one testicle was much larger than the other. It took him a while to do anything about it. Now aged 25 he sees how stupid that was and realises how lucky he is to be alive.

Gary returns to the airwaves after three months away and uses his show to plug the importance of 'checking those balls'.