大象传媒

After a blood test and ultra-sound scan, in less than a week, I was called in to have an operation to completely remove the testicle. The diagnosis of a non-seminoma (an aggressive form of testicular cancer) followed shortly. Luckily, I had caught it at an early stage. I had already expected the worst, so when I heard I had cancer, I just wanted to move on quickly to the next stage.

A sketch by Dan

The blood tests showed that my blood had a high concentration of tumour markers, so I was put on a six-week intensive course of chemotherapy. I was relocated to St James's Hospital in Leeds. During this time, my art tutor gave me a sketchbook to keep a daily record of my 'cancer journey'. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Macmillan nurse, Sue Morgan, I recorded everything in the sketchbook, including: nausea; dreams; scars; and waiting. On one occasion when the cannula in my right hand made drawing with it impossible, I sketched the patient in the bed opposite me with my left hand.

When I returned to university I wrote my dissertation on art and illness and presented a body of paintings, which reflected on my experience. My art helped me to explore and rationalise my experience of cancer. I was able to emerge emotionally unscathed and feeling stronger and more confident.

Dan's self-portrait

When Sue saw my sketchbook she asked me to show it to the doctors and nurses who work with cancer patients at the unit. I went on to speak about my illness and treatment at conferences and seminars all over the country, both to raise cancer awareness and to highlight the issues young people with cancer experience. I have since contributed to three books, including Anne Grinyer's Cancer in Young Adults, as well as direct mail material for Macmillan.

This year I was awarded the Young Macmillan Cancer Champion for my work on raising awareness. I also act as an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust, taking part in events, auctions, publicity and working on the design of new units.

I graduated from Lancaster in 2004, and went on to do a Masters degree in Glass at the University of Sunderland. In 2005, I set up my own business, Artstop Studios to specialise in public art in glass. I married Abigail in 2006. In the five years since my illness, I have worked on a number of high profile art commissions for a variety of different buildings.

St. James's Hospital, Leeds.

I have also been able to use my experience of cancer for some of my commissions. In 2008 I completed a project at St. James's Hospital in Leeds (where I was treated), producing a series of screen-printed and sandblasted glass screens in a new Teenage Cancer Trust ward for the Oncology department. I have also made a number of glass awards for CancerCare in Lancaster.

Last summer, I was formally signed off. Initially, with my own mortality very much in my mind, I wanted to know what could have caused it and how I could have avoided it. Yet, whatever caused it, I know that I have been incredibly fortunate and I am pleased to be able to use my experience to help others.

The key message to everyone is to know your body, so that if it changes in any way, you are aware of it. If you suspect anything is wrong, get it checked out properly - with cancer the earlier you can catch it, the more likely you are to be cured.

Dan Savage