Chris Stark opens up on testicular cancer diagnosis in emotional return to Capital Breakfast showSource: Capital UK
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00:00Look, I need to catch people up. So I did, I put something on Instagram last night, but not really
00:06had a chance to talk about this yet. And that's been the lovely thing. I've been really looking
00:09forward to getting back to the radio and seeing you guys. I love doing the radio. It's my favorite
00:14thing to do in the world. So it's just really good to be back, firstly, back with you guys,
00:19doing what we do. But yeah, I do have a bit of news to share. And I whacked up on Instagram last
00:25night, and I'm staggered by the response that has been to that. Overwhelmed. But yeah, look,
00:31last couple of months, I've been dealing with a few things personally, and the guys here have
00:35known about it. And everyone's been so, so supportive. So firstly, just want to say thank
00:39you to you guys. But yeah, about two months ago now, I got diagnosed with testicular cancer.
00:46And this is a really heavy thing. And I'm aware of that. We're on the radio to try and make you
00:49feel a bit better about your lives. And we're part of your routine. So if you don't mind just
00:54humoring me for a couple of minutes, just whilst I share this. And I imagine we're going to talk
00:57about this a bit throughout the show. But yeah, I got diagnosed with that. So there's been lots
01:01of doctor's appointments. I had some surgery at one point. I came back from that surgery,
01:05maybe a little earlier than I should, which will explain some of the 6am.
01:10That was a great week.
01:13I don't know why you came in looking back on that Monday.
01:16Well, this is what I've been telling everyone, because you are such a trooper. Like I've never
01:19known anyone like it. Like you genuinely don't make a fuss about anything. And this is what has
01:24been incredible, Chris, is that you were going through all of that and nobody would have known.
01:28Yeah. And so look, last week, I made a decision to have chemotherapy as well. And the idea of that
01:35was to kind of increase the chances of it not coming back.
01:41Yes.
01:41Yeah. So it's preventative rather than curing anything. But yeah, that's where I've been for
01:45the last 10 days or so. I've been having chemotherapy, which is rubbish, and it's
01:49horrible. But a lot of people go through this, and I'm very aware of that. And so I've made a
01:57decision that I want to talk about it, because I think there is a bit of a stigma around this
02:01kind of thing. I think it's quite a hard thing to talk about, given the area that it's in.
02:05But testicular cancer is so treatable. And it's really common in men aged 18 to 49.
02:13Is it really?
02:14And this blew my mind when I found out about it. So I think it's really important to talk about it.
02:20And if it means that me kind of being honest about what I've gone through and sharing that
02:26experience, I'm happy to do it if it means that that conversation is a bit more easier
02:31for other blokes. And maybe it will encourage some people to go check themselves, because I
02:35didn't do that properly. And I feel like an idiot for that. I feel like I put my family at risk.
02:39I feel like I put a lot of personal stuff at risk. And I really regret that. It really annoys
02:44me. So I just want to encourage people to go check themselves. And if that potentially leads
02:49to some good from this situation, then I'm really happy to put my one ball on the line.
02:58Honestly, the way you have handled this entire thing with bravery and humour has been so
03:06admirable. I couldn't respect you any more. No, and we've all got tears in our eyes here.
03:12And we absolutely love you to bits. And I cannot tell you how many messages are coming in. I don't
03:17know if you should read the message because you should read them. It means a lot. And obviously,
03:22look, we've got a whole show here. We can talk about things throughout it. But look,
03:26thank you so much for the support and back stronger and all that.
03:29Yes, exactly. Crystal, we love you. And it's so, so good to have you back.