Former Arsenal star Henry Lansbury speaks out about cancer diagnosis aged 25

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Former Arsenal star Henri Lansbury has opened up about being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 25. The ex- Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest midfielder opted not to tell anyone about his issue for months before undergoing surgery.

Lansbury began his professional career with the Gunners and after a series of loan moves, left for the City Ground in 2012. He later played for Villa, Bristol City and Luton Town before retiring , but during his spell with Forest he found a lump while showering in 2016.

The 35-year-old kept on playing after this discovery but eventually told the club's doctor and got it checked out. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and immediately underwent surgery.

Lansbury has remained cancer-free ever since and has been an advocate for early detection, first opening up about his prognosis in 2023 having kept it secret for several years. He has now spoken out about why he initially didn't get examined, shedding fresh light on his hardship.

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"Mentally I'm quite a strong person. I'm quite laid back as well so I was alright. It was just the two, three months before I actually told someone that were the most mentally draining," said Lansbury, speaking on In The Mixer brought to you by Sky Bet.

Asked why he waited to tell someone about his problem, Lansbury added: "I think it was a man thing, really. That's what I put it down to. It's that sort of, 'Just get on with it.' You think it's just gonna go eventually, don't you?"

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Lansbury elaborated on his ordeal and said: "It was almost surreal. I'd never really heard of the word and it didn't really affect me. But then I found a lump on my left testicle.

"I was playing football with it for like two, three months. It was only because I was going on holiday and it was playing on my mind, I was like, 'I need to go and get this checked out.'

"I thought, 'Well, I won't tell the club. I'll just go to a local hospital.' I was at Forest and went down to a hospital and they said, 'Oh, the waiting list is like two, three weeks.'

"I was like, 'No, I can't wait that long. I need to get it seen to. I'll have to call the [club] doctor.' Literally within 30 minutes they called me back, 'Go here.' Got it tested and left. They called me back again,' Go and pack a bag. You're going in for surgery tonight.' I went back, my mum was at my house and she was like, 'Where are you going?'

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"I was like, 'I'm just going to have my testicle taken out.' I hadn't told anyone. She was like, 'What do you mean, what do you mean?!' I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be alright. I'll be back in a bit.' Literally went in that night, got on the gas and air and then in the morning. It was done."

Lansbury admits he still goes for regular check-ups, which sometimes worry him. He said: "It's never come back but the worst bit is when you have to go for your check-ups. Waiting for your results… It was like every three months for two years and then six months after that. Now it's yearly."

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