Cancer survivor urges all men to 'drop your trousers' and get lumps checked

Graham Berney with his partner Vicky and son Harley. Graham is calling on men to get any lumps checked out, after he ignored his testicular cancer for two years. 

A father of one who was too embarrassed to get treatment for a testicular tumour for two years is appealing to all men to just "drop your trousers" and get all lumps checked.

Graham Berney's cancer had spread to his stomach and shoulder before the pain became too unbearable to ignore any longer. The then 38-year-old had an operation to remove both the tumour and testicle, followed by three months of intensive chemotherapy.

He defied medics' advice not to return to work for two years and was back at his job as a refrigeration engineer after just seven months.

"I did notice I had a swollen testicle but I was a typical man and just ignored it for two years," said the Tallaght man. "It became very sore and eventually the pain started to wake me up. Then I suffered chronic pain in my stomach and back but I thought it was to do with my diet of takeaways and so bought heat wraps from a pharmacist to dull the constant pain.

"My partner Vicky and I were driving to Kerry for the weekend in late March 2019 and the pain became ferociously bad. I couldn't get out of the hotel bed the next morning and had to be taken to Tralee General by ambulance.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

"As I was going home to Dublin the next day, I was told to drive straight to the Emergency Department at Tallaght Hospital where I had to wait two and a half days before I was seen. 

"I was asked to drop my trousers and told I had a tumour which needed to be operated on immediately."

Graham was first sent to the Rotunda Hospital where his sperm was saved in case he wanted to father another child in the future. Then his testicle and tumour were removed a few days later. 

Graham Berney defied medics' advice not to return to work for two years and was back at his job as a refrigeration engineer after just seven months.

However, the pain in his stomach and shoulder remained and a few weeks later, after being brought to hospital again by ambulance, further tests showed the cancer had spread to his stomach and shoulder.

"I needed intensive chemotherapy over three months which absolutely wiped me out. But thankfully, I'm free of cancer."

Graham, now aged 41, also highlighted how hard it was to access any financial help from the State and how he couldn't even afford to bring his then four-year old son Harley for a simple McDonalds.

Graham, now aged 41, also highlighted how hard it was to access any financial help from the State and how he couldn't even afford to bring his then four-year old son Harley for a simple McDonalds.

Graham's illness meant he wasn't able to work and his savings were quickly spent on paying for medication, yet he found it hard to get any help from the State. "I worked 25 years and paid all my taxes. The Social Welfare were nearly kicking me out the door when I looked for help. I was the sole earner trying to provide for my son and paying my rent and bills as well.

"I was paying €700 in medication over three months. I was filling out endless paperwork for illness benefits and was exhausted. It killed me that I couldn't even buy my son Harley a game or bring him for a McDonalds.

"I was lucky. For two years, I ignored a lump because I was too embarrassed to go to a doctor. That shouldn't be the case. If any man sees any lump or anything unusual, go to the doctor, drop your trousers and get it seen to as soon as possible."