TESTICULAR cancer sufferer Paul Exell has made a full recovery since his diagnosis three years ago.

But now he wants to help others, so he is taking part in the Swindon Cycle for Life, the men's equivalent to the Race for Life, which raises money for research into cancers that affect men.

The event takes place this Sunday, starting and finishing at Lydiard Park after a picturesque tour of the Wiltshire countryside.

Paul, 35, who lives in King Henry Drive, West Swindon, said that he was initially complacent about finding a lump and had it not been for his wife Stephanie, 40, he would not have gone to see a doctor.

He said: "Being a bloke I thought it would go away and didn't do anything about it.

"My wife noticed it when we were on holiday and being a woman she insisted I get it checked out. In hindsight it was a very good idea."

The computer programmer reckoned that men are more likely to take risks with their health because they are too embarrassed to talk about their testicles.

"Women are more open about going to see the doctor about gynaecological issues whereas blokes are a lot shyer and are not used to talking about that part of their body," he said.

"I would say to men don't be afraid to check and don't be afraid to go and see someone if you find anything. It's better to be safe than sorry."

Paul underwent surgery nine days after seeing his GP and he stresses the importance of early diagnosis in fighting the disease.

Four months after the initial diagnosis he had a course of radiotherapy after discovering a lump in his nymph node but now lives a normal life while still going for regular check ups.

In spite of the reoccurrence, Paul remains philosophical and stresses the importance trying not to be anxious about the cancer coming back.

"Cancer is survivable," he said. "It isn't always fatal and you can carry on with your life. You shouldn't worry about what will happen in six months time.

"You can't spend your life worrying about what may or may not happen."

As well as supporting Cancer Research UK by taking part in the cycle race, Paul hopes that his experience may help others. He is taking part in a trial at the Royal Marsden Hospital, a leading cancer centre in London, which is funded by Cancer Research UK.

The trial looks at the hereditary link of testicular cancer and builds on the recent discovery of a gene that can increase the chance of developing the disease by up to 50 times.

He learned after his surgery that his grandfather had also undergone surgery because of the disease when he was about Paul's age.