Edinburgh student diagnosed with testicular cancer days after his 21st birthday campaigns to raise awareness for Movember

An Edinburgh student who was diagnosed with testicular cancer just days after his 21st birthday is campaigning to raise awareness for Movember and to encourage others to believe that the facts and figures shared each year are real people, and encourage men of all ages to check themselves regularly.

Following his first year raising funds for Movember, he was awarded the 'Know Thy Nuts' award at a ceremony in London

Stewart Morgan, a finance student at Heriot-Watt University, was diagnosed with the cancer four days after his 21st birthday last year and as someone who was fit and healthy, with no underlying health conditions, it came as a complete shock.

Stewart said: “Last year I was just brushing my teeth one day and leaned over my sink and then I felt a discomfort, but thought it was just how I was standing. When I did it again it was painful and when I checked my teste there was a lump about the size of a pea that was hard and sensitive and it was dull pain.

“I felt sick, I just knew that something wasn’t right and I phoned my GP right away.”

Stewart was given the all clear six weeks after his first GP appointment

His first appointment was on October 14 and four days later he received the shock diagnosis, alone as his parents were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in New York.

Stewart was operated on days and on November 25, six weeks after his first appointment, he received the all clear from doctors.

Now, he is a Movember ambassador spreading awareness of the condition that many are still too embarrassed to speak about.

He added: “My surgery last year was on October 30 right before the start of Movember, so I shared my story on social media and then became a Movember ambassador.

He is spreading awareness through his university and schools and his story has been shared by a local business as part of their Mens Awareness Month

“After sharing my story last year I was nominated for the ‘Know Thy Nuts’ award from Movember, which I ended off winning and became a student ambassador for my university.

“I just wanted to encourage people and raise awareness, but became the highest fundraiser for Movember in the UK. This year I wanted to do something similar and fundraise and encourage more people to be aware of the facts and figures.

“I always stress self checking and at the time I never did it either but it is so important. Early detection means it can be treated quickly and reduce the spread.”

He has also organised Movember bus adverts in partnership with Heriot-Watt, and has multiple video clips with well-known athletes such as Mark Beaumont and Nasi Manu and health professionals in conversation regarding men's health, both mental and physical.

He is also raising money for Movember, and so far has raised over £2000 for the cause, with lifelong fundraising of more than £7000.

Edinburgh’s PURE Spa and Beauty invited Stewart in as part of their Movember appeal and have shared his story on their social media.

Becky Woodhouse, founder and CEO said: “Our team were truly inspired by Stewart’s resilience, creativity and spirit, and his commitment to raising funds and awareness for men’s health within our community and beyond.

“We wanted to recognise his efforts and highlight the Movember appeal with our PURE customers and invited Stewart to join us for a well deserved pamper treatment and share his story with our team about the Movember fundraising activities he has championed over the past few years”.

Donate to Stewart’s Movember fundraiser n the Movember website.

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