Real life stories
Wendy Gough
My son Matthew was only 18 when he found a lump in his testicle.
Having no knowledge of testicular cancer symptoms, he ignored it for 6 or 7 weeks and it was only when the testicle had swollen to twice its size that he told me he needed to see the doctor.
Things happened very quickly after that; Matthew had a testicle removed, completed several courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Unfortunately, the cancer had spread throughout his body and to his brain and Matthew died 10 days after his 19th birthday.
I believe that it was his lack of knowledge and embarrassment that killed my son and since his death I have worked tirelessly to raise awareness amongst teenagers and young men across the country through my Awareness Talks.
Testicular cancer now has a cure rate of 99% if caught early enough, so by educating men to check themselves regularly, my talks can actually save lives.
To read about one young man who did his check after a talk, see Adam Mason's story.
The most important thing is that through my awareness talks, I could be saving someone else's son.
Wendy Gough
Read more about Wendy’s Awareness Talks and her support of Everyman through the St Albans Fundraising Group in our Supporters section.
