Cancer and me and the launch of Check Ya Balls
- Andy Hood
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
“Balls!”That was, quite literally, the first word out of my mouth when I realised I’d be hanging up the running shoes for a while.
It had been one of those gorgeous summer evenings—the kind where a trail run feels like a victory lap. I crushed a few miles, snapped the obligatory sweaty selfie, and cruised home buzzing with endorphins. Life was good… for about twelve hours.
The next day I had an appointment with the urologist. It had been a week since my ultrasound, around ten days since I’d first noticed something felt “off,” and by this point I’d lost count of how many healthcare professionals I’d flashed. It had become a running joke at home—nurse calls my name, I drop the trousers like I’m clocking in for work.
The whole thing had started in the shower after a run. A few nights earlier I’d watched The Grand Tour, where they made a throwaway joke about prostate and testicular cancer. It lodged itself in the back of my mind, and suddenly there I was, mid-shampoo, thinking: When did I last check my nuts?
Because let’s be honest—when was the last time you leaned over your pint at the pub and casually asked your mates, “Oi lads, when did you last fondle your bollocks for medical reasons?”Exactly. We don’t talk about it.We should.
Anyway, there I am post-run, doing what I now call my rumble in the jungle, and something is definitely wrong. One testicle felt smaller. Harder. Definitely different. Not a fun discovery.
Fast-forward to the urologist’s office. He talks. I hear one word on loop:cancer… cancer… CANCER.It got louder every time he said it—though that might’ve just been the sound of my soul leaving my body. And yes, I had to drop them again.
I politely informed him that I was training for a 170-mile run to Land’s End and asked whether we could perhaps take my race schedule into account when diagnosing me. Shockingly, the answer was no.
A couple of days later, I was on the operating table for an orchidectomy.Was the operation painful?Nope—the anaesthetic was bliss. Like having a spa day in the clouds.Waking up afterwards? Painful. The days that followed? Very painful. Both physically and mentally. Every day not running felt like falling further behind. I knew Land’s End was off the cards. I was gutted.
But lying there, sore and frustrated, I made myself a promise:I will rebuild. I will come back stronger. Andy 2.0 is going to be a beast.First, though, I needed to heal… and get through chemotherapy.
The Comeback
Eventually, I laced the running shoes back up. Step by step, I rebuilt. I drifted into the magical, slightly bonkers world of ultra-distance running. And yes—the Land’s End run went back into the diary for September 2022.Along the way, I raised money for three incredible charities, and I’ve continued to support causes that matter deeply to me.
And here’s my message to you:Check. Your. Balls.Give the men in your life a nudge—partners, dads, brothers, sons. We even have a monthly reminder: Testes Tuesday, the first Tuesday of every month. Join us. (Not literally. That would be weird.)
Update – December 2023
What a ride. Since the op and chemo, all my scans and blood tests have been clear. I do seem to catch more bugs than I used to—maybe my immune system prefers a more relaxed lifestyle now—but overall I’m doing well.
I promised I’d rebuild stronger, and I’m proud to say I have.I’ve run multiple ultra-marathons and endurance events and raised over £7,700 for cancer and mental health charities. That happened because of the unbelievable support from so many of you. Truly—I’m grateful.
Looking into 2024, I’ve got more ultras planned purely for fun (yes, that’s a thing now), plus some rather creative fundraising ideas: a 24-hour treadmill challenge, the 50K Donut Run in London supported by Krispy Kreme, two 100Ks, and UTMB Nice in October.
In the past few months alone, several people who found this blog reached out after receiving their own testicular cancer diagnosis. That’s why I’ll keep talking about this. The conversation matters.
Update – November 2025
It’s been a wild couple of years. Fundraising has now passed £15,000, and the adventures have been… eclectic.I ran an ultra to thank Jeremy Clarkson for (accidentally) saving my life.I ran for 24 hours on a treadmill wearing kaleidoscope glasses gifted to me by Dawn French.I ran the Tour du Mont Blanc—twice.
And now? I’m just a week away from launching my very own underwear line.Yes, really.An underwear range designed to spark conversations, get men checking themselves, and raise money for two cancer charities. Check Ya Balls was born from a stubborn desire to make a difference.
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How to Check Your Testes
I’m a huge supporter of the OddBalls Foundation, who do amazing work educating schools, colleges, and workplaces about testicular cancer and encouraging men to start the conversations we avoid far too easily.
If you haven’t checked your bits recently, now’s your moment.Here’s their guide on how to do it—have a read, share it, and help spread awareness. Believe me, it makes a difference.
👉 OddBalls Self-Check Guide
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