RADIO star Chris Stalk has admitted he feels “an idiot” for brushing off his testicular cancer as a painful football injury.
The Capital FM Breakfast host, 38, says it was only chance that he mentioned a “weird feeling” he had while visiting the doctor about something else.
Chris was examined and immediately sent for an ultrasound, which confirmed he had testicular cancer.
The dad-of-two has now spoken about his diagnosis after being given the all-clear following the removal of one testicle and a single bout of chemotherapy.
He even branded himself as “an idiot” for ignoring the pain he had been feeling down below.
During an appearance on This Morning, Chris said: “If I'm honest, I don't like going to the doctor. It's something I put off.
“I had gone about something else and I was really lucky, as the doctor asked me if there was anything else bothering me.
“I had this little thing in the back of my head, a weird feeling. I just wasn't sure about testicles and problems in that area.
“I was awkward about it and really wasn't sure. But he said to me, ‘Shall we do a quick examination?'”
The popular DJ said it felt “really sore” during the examination, which he was told was not normal.
“As he was doing it, it felt really sore on one side,” Chris admitted. “I'd put it down to playing football.
“The doctor told me it should’t feel sore and that it could be a sign of something else.
“I was sent for an ultrasound and they said they strongly suspected [testicular cancer].
“It was only when they pushed their fingers down I could feel that lump.”
Chris continued: “If I’m being honest it made me feel an idiot.
“I've got two kids and wife who I love dearly and I just thought, “You’re an idiot'.
“It was lucky I went to the doctors, had a check and he mentioned it.”
Chris, who presents Capital FM's Breakfast Show with Jordan North and Sian Welby, went public with his testicular cancer diagnosis last week.
After being absent from the airwaves for a week, he told fans about his medical journey in an emotional Instagram post.
On Monday, Chris returned to work at Capitaland was met with a group hug from his emotional co-stars Jordan and Sian.
He is now determined to raise awareness of testicular cancer in a bid to prevent early diagnosis in other men.
During Thursday's This Morning, he told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: “I’m affectively cured and will be monitored every month as there’s a chance it could come back.
“I find myself constantly googling which is terrible, but I’ve also become a lot more proactive and positive.
“I’ve been amazed by how many blokes who have DM’d me.”
Chris added: “I’m more than happy to put my one ball on the line if it keeps the conversation going!”
