Reality star Chris Hughes has opened up about a recent cancer scare after discovering a small lump on his testicle. Thankfully, the Celebrity Big Brother and Love Island star confirmed that he’s been given the all clear.“Boys, just had a check up on the balls, small lump, thankfully all clear and nothing to worry about,” he said, urging others to be proactive. “Yes because of what my family has been through, the documentary we made I prioritise this, but keep them checked and get them looked at to be sure.”
Brother Ben’s cancer diagnosis prompted by Chris’s live exam
Chris has been vocal about testicular health for years, especially after his brother Ben was diagnosed with the disease. In 2018, Chris underwent a live testicular exam on ITV’s This Morning, hoping to encourage viewers to check themselves. It was that live exam that prompted Ben to examine himself and discover a lump. Doctors confirmed it was cancerous. Few months later, Chris shared that his brother has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. ‘He came into my room at 3am the morning after my testicular examination on tv, clearly struggling to sleep, telling me he’d found a lump and asked me if he’s checking it right. To which I told him, “Ben, it’s 3am, I’ll look in the morning, but if there’s a lump, go and check it checked tomorrow with the doctor”.‘Today he sent me a message telling me the news, and thanking me for making him aware, else he’d never have known he had cancer.. That literally broke my heart.’Thankfully, Ben has since made a full recovery.Chris and Ben later worked together on a BBC documentary highlighting male fertility, revealing that temperature, drug use and even too-tight underwear can affect sperm. Chris said on Instagram, “The day after I was on This Morning my brother found a lump. It’s so important to check yourself regularly.”
Chris’s own health journey and testicular operations
Reflecting on his own health issues, Chris has shared that he’s had three operations on his testicles to treat a varicocele and a hydrocele.“The first time I discovered something wasn’t right was when I was about 15 – I had a varicocele, which is a build up of veins on my left testicle,” he said in an earlier interview. “It didn’t cause me much discomfort so I didn’t do anything for a few years. I put it to the back of my mind. Then a few years later I had it sorted out, as well as an operation on a hydrocele (a build-up of fluid) on my right testicle.”
Family history and fertility concerns
In another candid moment on This Morning, Chris revealed that his cousin had also battled testicular cancer and that both of his brothers were infertile. He admitted that he didn’t get examined until he was 20, saying, “Because it doesn’t come with a lot of pain it’s easy to neglect. Everyone thinks they know their body. There’s a right way to check them. I’ll be honest with you it’s not something you grab hold of in everyday life. You wash yourself but don’t necessarily use your fingers to identify.”Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young men. Cancer Research UK says around 2,200 men in the UK are diagnosed each year. Male cancer charity Orchid has found that 68% of men don’t know how to properly check themselves.
Causes and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer begins as a growth of abnormal cells within the testicles. These are the male reproductive glands that produce both sperm and testosterone, and they’re found in the scrotum.This type of cancer is relatively rare and usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 45, though it can happen at any age. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable, even if it spreads. The choice of treatment depends on the cancer type and how far it has spread, but commonly involves surgery and chemotherapy.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Testicular cancer symptoms can include:A lump or swelling in either testicleA heavy feeling in the scrotumA dull ache in the lower belly or groinSudden swelling of the scrotumPain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotumEnlargement or tenderness of the breast tissueBack painTypically, the cancer only affects one testicle.
Causes and Risk Factors
As per the Mayo Clinic, the exact cause of most testicular cancers isn’t known. What researchers do know is that the disease begins when the DNA inside certain testicular cells—usually germ cells that make sperm—undergoes changes. DNA carries instructions for cell growth and division, and when these instructions malfunction, cells can start growing uncontrollably. Instead of dying off naturally, the abnormal cells continue multiplying and form a mass called a tumor.Over time, the tumor can grow beyond the testicle, and some cancer cells may break away and spread to other areas like the lymph nodes, liver, or lungs. When the cancer spreads, it’s called metastatic testicular cancer.