Men must act on cancer like Cameron - I should know

The news about David Cameron’s prostate cancer hit me with a thud of recognition: the hesitation, the domestic nudge, the reluctant appointment, the quietly mounting dread.

- JACK BURKE

His wife told him to get checked. And luckily for him, he listened. Because for men, the gap between “I’m sure it’s nothing” and “Christ, how long has this been going on?” can be lethal.

I know this too well. Four years ago, aged 26, I found a lump in my testicle.

That sickening, animal jolt of panic - the overwritten cliche of the world falling out from under your feet - is something I’ll never forget. Within a week, I was on a table at the Royal Marsden while a consultant flicked through my scans and my balls.

“It doesn’t look good, Jack,” he said, matter-of-factly. He pointed to the screen like a Match of the Day pundit analysing a defensive lapse. “In my opinion, it’s cancer. The next step is to operate.”

“When?” I croaked.

“As soon as possible.”

He softened. “You’ve done well to catch it early. Some young men ignore it for ages. You wouldn’t believe how bad it gets.” He held out his hands, cupping them for effect. “Testicles the size of oranges.”