Coronation Street's Jack James Ryan opens up about surviving cancer
Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has spoken out about surviving testicular cancer, sharing that he was "really lucky" to catch the cancer in its earliest stages.
Jack, who plays reformed drug dealer Jacob Hay on the soap, has previously confirmed that he was diagnosed with cancer in his late teens and that he is now in remission after receiving treatment. Jack shared his support for former Corrie star Victoria Ekanoye after she spoke about her breast cancer diagnosis.
The actor has now spoken to The Mirror about the moment that he first discovered a lump in his testicle, when he had returned home from drama school for the Easter holidays to see his mum, Maranna, and his sister, Rebecca (who appeared in Corrie herself this year as stalker Lydia Chambers).
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"My sister had a friend round. I screamed: 'Rebecca! Rebecca!' She ran upstairs and I told her that her friend had to go," Jack said. "She asked her to leave and she came back upstairs with my mum and I told them what I'd found."
After visiting his GP to have the lump examined, Jack was referred to hospital. He then received surgery to remove his left testicle and have a prosthetic replacement, as well as undergoing chemotherapy.
"I was really lucky," he said. "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."
Jack went on to explain that he had counselling after the experience, particularly as he was "struggling with my body image" after receiving treatment and didn't feel able to date anyone.
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He later wrote a play about his experience with cancer called Me & My Left Ball, which he described as "a proper grieving experience".
"I was able to write down everything I was feeling. Sometimes in rehearsals I'd have to go out and cry. I'd think: 'F**k, I actually went through this'," he said. "I bottled things up. It was that toxic masculinity of not being able to say how you feel. I hadn't cried in front of somebody since I was a kid."
Jack, who is a Teenage Cancer Trust supporter, also spoke about the importance of educating other young men on how to be aware of the signs, saying: "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."
With Jacob now becoming a firm fixture on the cobbles, thanks to his relationship with Amy Barlow and his new job at the factory, Jack has revealed that he couldn't feel more grateful to be living his dream on the Corrie set.
"Every day I get on set I think: 'Wow, this could have been so different'. I don't take anything for granted anymore. I did before, but I don't now - I know how lucky I am," he said.
"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I did think there was a possibility I might not make it. But I did and I'm living my dream. I'm just so glad that things turned out well and I'm grateful that I'm here. I'm loving every second of it."
Jack has previously suggested that he'd like to explore a cancer storyline with Jacob on-screen, saying that he would "love to find a way of telling a story like that for Jacob and opening the conversation".
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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