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Surviving testicular cancer gave Mark Adams a new lease of life. Trekking through Peru and visiting the Great Wall of China, he admits, just wouldnât have been on his to-do list beforeâ¦
âIt was the middle of 2003 when I noticed a lump in my testicle, while in the shower. It was a complete chance finding. Iâd heard about cysts so I didnât think much of it until about mid-September, when I thought it wasnât right and I should do something about it.
âSo I saw my doctor and was referred to a specialist for an ultrasound, which showed it was cancer. I felt like Iâd been hit by a freight train. I thought, âWhat if this is the beginning of the end?â
âIt was quite hard concentrating and taking in what the doctor was saying, because I felt so gutted. I had to try hard to put these feelings aside and to understand what they were telling me.
âThat evening I had to decide who I should tell. I told my parents over the phone and they reacted very well. I then went to the Cancer Research UK website to do some research about testicular cancer.
âAfter surgery to remove the testicle, I went to see a consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital. I had two weeks of radiotherapy, which was pretty straightforward, although it does affect you. I had the radiotherapy on my pelvis and stomach, so mealtimes became hard - I didnât eat much during those two weeks. A couple of nights I felt nauseous and stayed in bed for the whole day.
âOne thing I felt was guilt. When youâre waiting for your radiotherapy youâre surrounded by a lot of people in a much worse situation than yourself â" they might be going through chemotherapy, losing their hair and looking really ill, whereas you feel pretty ok.
âThree years later, I could breathe a sigh of relief. Since the cancer was treated, Iâve been physically healthy and have upped my game. Iâve done some charity events in China and been to Peru on a BBC documentary, through Cancer Research UK. I've also run the London Marathon.
âNo-one can ever underestimate the psychological impact of being diagnosed with cancer. But on a positive note, taking myself to the Andes and the Great Wall of China arenât necessarily things Iâd have done before. I want to give something back to the charity and do something worthwhile."
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Case study provided by Cancer Research UK
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