Profile: Stephen's story

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5759","attributes":{"alt":"Testicular cancer survivor Stephen Griffin","class":"media-image","height":"260","style":"line-height: 1.4; width: 259px; height: 260px; float: right; margin: 2px;","width":"259"}}]]Stephen is a testicular cancer survivor. This is his story.

In August 2011, Stephen Griffin, a 21 year old university student from Rosmuc in Connemara was experiencing groin pain which Stephen initially put down to playing rugby and football.

He had signed up to do leg based martial art class however on the night he was due to start the class, he was called into work and couldn’t go. On that night he went into work but the pain got very intense and when it became unbearable, Stephen decided to go directly to Accident and Emergency. An examination by the doctor revealed that one of Stephen’s testicles was swollen and further tests would be required to determine the cause of the swelling.

The next day, Stephen was diagnosed with testicular cancer with a tumour growing quickly in one of his testicles. Stephen says that if he had made it to the martial arts class that night, he would have put the pain down to an injury at the class and it would have delayed his diagnosis.

The following week, Stephen had surgery to remove one testicle. As all the cancer was removed, Stephen did not require any chemotherapy treatment. As a twenty one year-old, active, fit young man Stephen was shocked to discover he had developed testicular cancer, as were his family. However, Stephen has gone on to resume his life as before and returned to playing rugby for the Galweigans ten weeks after his surgery.

Today, Stephen is still monitored but is doing well. Since his operation, he has been contacted by lads from all over the place including some of the rugby teams about aches and pains they have had.

Stephen’s advice is always get it checked out straight away. Stephen is keen to highlight testicular cancer and wants to get the message out there to get yourself checked out if you experience anything that is unusual for you.

He has fulfilled his dreams and joined the guards and his illness never impacted his entry to the guards in terms of the medical exam. Stephen says "Don’t let cancer hold you back, life goes on."

Concerned about testicular cancer? Read more about signs, symptoms and treatment.

Looking for advice or want to ask some questions? Contact our Cancer Nurseline.