Dad’s Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis Highlights the Importance of Getting Checked

A father in Cardiff has shared how an unexpected injury led to the discovery of testicular cancer and changed the way he thinks about men’s health.

Ben Lidgey was playing with his four-year-old son when he was accidentally kicked in the testicles. At first, he assumed the pain would eventually disappear and did not immediately seek medical attention.

When the pain continued for more than a week, Lidgey visited his doctor. Medical tests revealed that he had testicular cancer.

After treatment, Lidgey was given the all-clear. However, his experience did not end with his recovery. He later realised that the emotional effects of the illness had also stayed with him.

His wife eventually encouraged him to seek counselling after noticing changes in his mood and behaviour. Lidgey says the support helped him recognise that recovering from cancer involved his mental health as well as his physical health.

He has since become an ambassador for Movember and now encourages other men to take their health seriously and seek help when something does not feel right.

The story comes as a new Movember report calls for greater attention to men’s health in Wales. The report says many men die prematurely from conditions that can sometimes be prevented or treated more effectively when detected earlier.

Lidgey’s experience has given him a personal reason to speak openly about the issue. He hopes other men will feel more comfortable asking for medical or emotional support rather than simply ignoring problems.

His story is a reminder that an unexpected moment can sometimes reveal a serious health problem — and that getting checked can make an important difference.

Source: BBC News, October 4, 2026