Warning to young men after son dies from cancer

The mother of a young man who died from testicular cancer after he was initially misdiagnosed is warning others to "not take no for an answer" if they have concerns.

Zac Summers-Cameron had just finished his first year at university when he had issues with one of his testicles and pain in his abdomen.

Doctors initially said it was an infection and treated him with antibiotics in June 2024. Months later, scans revealed it was cancer that had already spread. He died 15 months later at the age of 22.

Zac's mum, Clare Summers-Taylor, said he was seen five times by GPs and medical professionals over a four-month period in 2024 but was not scanned, which could have "changed everything".

"Don't take no for an answer and don't just trust what you're told.

"If your son or brother or husband has a problem with one of their testicles, it's important that it's properly investigated," she added.

"Had he been scanned early on it would have been clearly identifiable and then they could have immediately started treating it before it spread," she said.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in younger men in the UK, with about 2,400 cases each year and 70 deaths.

Zac's family and friends remember him as the life and soul of the party, an "amazing friend", keen sportsman and someone who was always so positive.

But they say he felt very let down that his cancer had not been diagnosed sooner.

He went through aggressive rounds of chemotherapy and two stem-cell transplants but died in November 2025.

"He wanted a family, he wanted a life, he didn't want to die and I had to hold his hand through all of that trauma that he was going through," Clare said.

"He lost everything. He lost his looks, he lost his education, his future, the chance of having children."

Clare said she wanted to warn others to take the signs and symptoms seriously and ask questions of doctors.

"Ask for a scan and don't stop until you've got one, as that will hopefully identify what the problem is and then stop it spreading, like it did for Zac," she added.

Tim Snary, a volunteer with the Bristol testicular cancer charity 'It's in the Bag', said there is a survival rate of about 96% if the cancer is caught early.

"It's so important that men check themselves. In talks I say 'look at me, I'm a normal guy and I got it'.

"Check once a month for anything unusual like hardness or heaviness in your testicles. Lower backache can also be a telltale sign," he added.

Signs and symptoms to look out for also include a lump, swelling, ache or pain in your testicle.

In his memory, Zac's friends are organising the inaugural 'Zac's 44 Legacy Match Charity Day'' at Old Patesians RFC in Cheltenham on 4 April.

It will include a rugby match between Zac's friends for the "Summers-Cameron Cup", as well as live music and DJ sets to raise money and awareness.

Zac's friend James Scott, who's helping to organise the event, said "You kind of gloss over it until it hits your surface and you don't ever consider it happening to you or happening to anyone you really care about."

Ben Jones, who had known Zac since Year 7 at school, said they wanted to celebrate Zac's life.

"We wanted to create such a large event that raises awareness for Zac and for testicular cancer," he said.

Scott added that Zac would have loved the event.

"He'd take it way too far, he'd be dancing so much, he'd be trying to get on the DJ decks as well. That's just Zac."

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