This October, Manchester Half participant Dan Barker will take on the challenge just 13 months after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Thanks to research, nearly all men survive testicular cancer if they get the treatment they need. Dan is now an advocate for getting symptoms checked out as early as possible and has a powerful message to share with people who may be at risk of the disease.

Read Dan’s story below and help him support Cancer Research UK by donating to his JustGiving page.

Words by Dan Barker.

My name is Dan. I’m a trainee pharmacy technician, Leeds Rhinos and United supporter, and family man. My girlfriend Charlie is my rock, and I have an 11-year-old son, George, who is my absolute world.

Around the time when I first met Charlie, she found a lump, which I explained was nothing to worry about. This was because when I was 17, I was told that this lump in my testicle was nothing to worry about, when I had it checked by doctors.

However, over the years the lump started to change.

In late August last year my testicle started to visibly grow and became uncomfortable. In early September, I went to see my GP who referred me to radiology to have an ultrasound. Within 15 minutes of the scan, I was told that I had testicular cancer and needed to have surgery to remove my testicle.

The diagnosis came the week that I started a course to become a pharmacy technician – the start of my future career. The hardest part about my diagnosis was the not knowing of what my future would look like. The uncertainty was awful.

Charlie was heartbroken, but on the surface she remained strong. She handled doctors appointments, passed on information to our close family and friends, and stayed positive for George.

Treatment was a whirlwind of surgery, tests and tense waiting periods for results. I had orchidectomy surgery to remove my right testicle followed by a scan to see if the cancer had spread. Two weeks after this, the consultant sat us down and said the words: “your cancer hasn’t spread”. It was the first bit of emotion I had shown throughout the whole experience and I remember feeling overwhelming relief. I had done it; I had beaten cancer.

Throughout my cancer journey, Charlie and I spoke about how we could raise money for Cancer Research UK, whose research is helping cancer to be detected earlier and treated more effectively.

I’m taking on the Manchester Half alongside Charlie and a group of co-workers – we’re 15 in total! Crossing the finishing line with people who love me will be like a full circle moment.

My message is that it doesn’t have to be embarrassing to talk about testicles and get them checked. Get to know your body and if you do get a lump checked, and it then changes later like mine did, go back to your GP. You are not wasting anyone’s time. Life is precious, look after it.

 

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your story, and good luck to you and the team in October! Donate to Dan’s JustGiving page below.