NUH cancer patient urges men to check themselves for the BBC ‘Check Yer Sehn’ campaign | Latest news

A Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) patient who was diagnosed with testicular cancer after spotting a small lump is urging men to regularly check themselves as part of the BBC’s Check Yer Sehn campaign, which this week focuses on testicular cancer awareness.

Kevin Theobold, 65, noticed a small, slightly raised lump on one of his testicles in March 2024. The lump, which he described as “about the size of half a pea,” didn’t feel right.

Kevin said: “I’ve always checked myself, and this felt different.”

“I asked my wife to check too, just to reassure me that what I was feeling was actually there. Your partner might not know your body better than you do, but they can help give you that second opinion.”

After waiting a short period to see if the lump changed, Kevin booked an appointment with his GP in early April 2024. He was quickly referred onto the NHS two‑week cancer pathway, and an ultrasound scan confirmed the presence of a small tumour likely to be cancerous.

Rather than carrying out a biopsy, which risked spreading the cancer, doctors recommended removing the affected testicle. Kevin underwent surgery at NUH on 24 May 2024, and further tests confirmed he had stage one testicular cancer, with a 1.4cm tumour contained to one testicle.

Because the cancer was caught early, Kevin did not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. He was discharged with pain relief and placed on a five‑year follow‑up plan. For the first two years he attended monthly blood tests and chest X‑rays, overseen by NUH urology oncologist Lucy Gossage. Kevin will be entering his third year of remission in June and now only needs check‑ups every three months.

“At one point I said I felt like a bit of a fraud,” Kevin explained. “But Lucy told me, ‘You are not a fraud, you’ve had cancer, and you’re lucky you caught it early. That shows the power of regular self-examination.’”

Following his diagnosis and remission, Kevin also became an ambassador for the charity, On the Ball, using his own experience of testicular cancer to encourage men to take their health seriously.

And as a football referee for Nottinghamshire County and the Central Midlands for 49 years, Kevin is now able to raise awareness among men or all ages both on and off the pitch.

“I’m not ashamed or afraid to talk openly about my cancer journey,” he said. “Cancer is a roll of the dice, it can happen to anyone. Because I checked myself, I caught it early, and now it’s gone.”

Kevin says there is still a stigma around men’s health, with many men reluctant to speak up when something feels wrong. His message is simple: “Check once a month for a couple of minutes, ideally in the shower.

“Use firm pressure, cup your testicles with both hands and know what’s normal for you. If something hurts or feels different, get it checked. And if you’re worried about bothering your GP, don’t. They would always rather you came forward." Looking to the future, now, Kevin remains positive: “I’m living like it never happened,” he said.

“I’ve got a great support network around me, and I want other men to know that checking yourself really can save your life.”