Young Jack Bristow is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with the illness late last year, having already undergone two rounds of chemotherapy and had his right testicle removed.
The discovery was made last September, when Jack complained of swelling in his testicles after being struck by a football during a game.
While doctors initially thought the growth was down to inflammation, prescribing Jack with anti-inflammatories, another knock to the groin led to him being admitted to hospital in North Hampshire.
After an examination, a biopsy was taken, with the scans showing abnormal cells in the nine-year-old’s right testicle.
Sadly, on December 10, Jack was diagnosed with seminomas – a testicular cancer germ cell tumour – which usually affects men four times his age.
Urging awareness of the illness to other parents, Jack’s dad Dan told MailOnline.com: “You hear stories but until it happens to you, you think ‘what’s going on?’ It’s your worst nightmare.”
“The doctors think he is the youngest to have it but said it is one of the most treatable types of cancer, so it fills you with hope,” he added.
Jack and his family have been informed that, as long as his treatment continues to go well, he has a 95% survival rate.
Jack's story highlights our need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, not just in ourselves but in our little ones.
