THERE is currently much media attention about testicular cancer, stressing the importance of checking yourself regularly.

In April my partner noticed a lump in his testicles, which grew more painful. As it was a bank holiday we went to A & E where a doctor thought it was an infection and sent my partner home with antibiotics, also advising him to see his GP. No checks for infection were done.

Three days later, and still in pain, my partner saw his GP who confirmed that it was probably an infection and said to continue with antibiotics. No blood or urine samples were taken.

Unhappy with this diagnosis, I arranged for my boyfriend to attend a Well Man clinic in Radcliffe who advertise themselves as "specialists on prostate and testicular problems, counselling and making appropriate referrals to specialists".

At the clinic my partner was "examined" from the other side of a desk whilst he stood up. The doctor said it was probably an infection but he didn't want to give him any more antibiotics. He told him to come back in two weeks. No samples were taken, and no referrals were made. As we left the sister at the clinic gave me a video on testicular examination and a leaflet on testicular cancer.

That same night we want to BARDOC and were told we couldn't see a doctor because our GP was not registered with BARDOC. A nurse examined my partner and agreed there was a lump. We said we were afraid that it was a tumour and were frustrated that no one seemed to take us seriously. She advised us to change GP and we left feeling very angry.

Eventually I got my partner registered at my GP's surgery where he was given an immediate and thorough examination and referred to a consultant urologist. A scan then showed a tumour and we were told that was most likely malignant. A few days ago my partner had a testicle removed.

My partner has suffered pain, anxiety and tiredness over the past three months. All the articles we have read state that testicular cancer is the most treatable form of cancer if caught early. We tried for weeks to get help and now hope that we have been able to catch it in time.

My advice to others is to go straight to your GP and insist on being properly checked over. Don't wait!

CAROL (AND JAMES)