Blackburn Martial Arts & Kickboxing Club Kickboxing coach John Bentley is recovering from testicular cancer & is urging young men not to delay if they discover indications of the disease.

John was having a shower when he noticed a lump, but dismissed it as a kickboxing injury. He did not feel comfortable going to see a doctor and waited three weeks before being persuaded by his wife, Emma, to go. Now, six months on, returning to work as a civil engineer three weeks ago and to the club as a martial arts coach this week, the 38-year-old from Blackburn is keen on raising awareness of the cancer.

John, who has four children, Shannon, 15, William, 11, Iona, nine, and seven-year-old Jamie, said: “Young men may feel embarrassed about going to the doctor.

“But don’t be scared, it saved my life by going. I’m wiser now and would go for a check-up if I found anything strange again.“I was devastated when I found out, as I have young children and I’m self-employed so, financially, this was a strain.”

“It really put things into perspective. Getting back to work has been tiring, and I still have regular check-ups too.

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Well Done to Tommy Hamill who achieved his Ju-Jitsu Black Belt with Honours at World Ju-Jitsu Headquarters in Liverpool