Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan opens up on testicular cancer battle

JACK James Ryan has opened up about his battle with testicular cancer and confessed he's grateful to be alive.

The Coronation Street star was 19 when he was diagnosed and has urged young men to make sure they're checking for lumps regularly.

Jack - who plays Jacob Hay in the ITV soap - recalled how he was home with his mum and sister Rebecca, who also stars in Corrie, when he made the discovery.

He said: "My sister had a friend round. I screamed ‘Rebecca! Rebecca!’ She ran upstairs and I told her that her friend had to go.

"She asked her to leave and she came back upstairs with my mum and I told them what I’d found.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I did think there was a possibility I might not make it. I’m just so glad that things turned out well and I’m grateful that I’m here."

But luckily Jack found the lump early and within weeks he underwent an operation remove his left testicle and have a prosthetic replacement.

He added to the : "I was really lucky. The doctors thought I’d literally found the lump within the week that it grew.

"That was why I didn’t need a lot of treatment afterwards. From finding the lump to being on the operating table took just two weeks. They moved so quickly.”

He underwent chemotherapy to ensure that cancer didn't spread and, just four months later, Jack was back at acting school.

Jack confessed he once thought only older men could get testicular cancer - telling young men to make sure they check regularly.

He said: "I always thought testicular cancer was an old man’s cancer, so once I recovered I wanted to speak out to other young men and tell them to get themselves checked out."