BBC Breakfast’s Roger Johnson and Sarah Campbell spoke to cancer survivor Andy Venables (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast aired a crucial message following a segment about how farmers are turning to vets for personal medical advice rather than the NHS, with some waiting too late to get checked out.

A new campaign will see vets in the UK trained in spotting a number of human health conditions, including cancer, in an effort to push those working in agriculture to get medical help if they have worrying symptoms. It is a collaboration between the Farming Community Network and Macmillan Cancer Support.

BBC Breakfast co-hosts Roger Johnson and Sarah Campbell welcomed farmer and cancer survivor Andy Venables into the studio during Sunday’s programme (November 23).

Recounting his own story, he shared: “I got diagnosed with testicular cancer three years ago in 2022. I was a fit, healthy 35-year-old with a young family and growing business and cancer was definitely not in my plan or on my radar.”

Discussing why he was welcoming the new scheme, he explained: “It can be a lonely job and it can be focussed on the farm and therefore people with that lump or bump, or ache or pain, they don’t tend to go and get checked out.”

Andy was diagnosed with Stage 3 testicular cancer (Image: BBC)

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Andy revealed he was reluctant to get his own symptoms – a slight swelling and back ache – checked out, and only when he took a holiday and had space to think clearly did he start to wonder if he should finally get it investigated.

After pressure from his wife, he booked an appointment while still away. His doctor referred him for an ultrasound which then revealed the presence of Stage 3 cancer.

“If you think about the remote location of farmers, often it could be most of the morning if they had to go out and go to the doctors and their heart is on the farm,” he explained. “They are focussed on their livestock first and foremost, or their crops. They don’t tend to think about themselves.”

Andy revealed he now had the all clear (Image: BBC)

Thankfully Andy revealed he had been given the all clear from cancer just last year, and now had annual check-ups.

Roger and Sarah were left praising him for sharing his story, telling the guest: “It’s great to hear that you’re well, and a really important message that you’re saying. Thank you so much for coming in.”