A BRAVE Basingstoke boy is thought to be the youngest in the UK to suffer from testicular cancer after he was diagnosed with the disease in December.

Nine-year-old Jack Bristow, of Selby Walk, Popley, is now facing the fight of his life to battle the disease which usually affects men three of four times his age.

Jack's parents Dan and Joanne, who is known as Joe, were given the devastating news that the youngster was thought to be one of the youngest in the UK, and the world, to be diagnosed with the disease in December.

The nine-year-old was diagnosed with Seminomas, a testicular cancer germ cell tumour, on December 9, and in the weeks since then he has had his right testicle removed and has undergone two cycles of chemotherapy at Southampton General Hospital's Piam Brown ward.

Along with his dad Dan, the brave nine-year-old has also shaved his head after it started to fall out when he started his chemotherapy treatment, and mum Joe is dying her hair purple - the traditional colour used for testicular cancer campaigns - tomorrow.

Dan, 32, told The Gazette: “You hear stories but until it happens to you, you think what's going on? It is your worst nightmare.

“They (the doctors) think he is the youngest to have it but said it is one of the most treatable (types of cancer) so it fills you with hope. Until you go in there (the Piam Brown ward) and see what some of the other kids are going through, it is hard to explain.”

Jack's right testicle first began to swell in September when he took a blow to his groin area when playing football at Merton Junior School, in Popley, where he is currently in Year Five.

Worried mum Joe, 29, then took him to the doctors and was told it was likely to be inflammation and he was prescribed ibuprofen to decrease the swelling.

Just weeks later the nine-year-old took another knock to his groin when playing at school and the following day, Jack was “doubled up” in pain.

Following a trip to the doctors that morning, Jack was rushed to Charlie's day unit at Basingstoke hospital where his parents were told he could have a torsion of the testicle or it may be dead and could need to be removed.

After doctors concluded it wasn't either of these options, a biopsy was taken and it showed there were abnormal cells in his right testicle.

Jack was then transferred to Southampton General Hospital and his parent's worst fear was confirmed on December 9. When he was diagnosed, doctors found that his right testicle measured at 27-and-a-half centimetres compared to his left one which measured two-and-a-half centimetres.

Since his diagnosis, Jack has had his right testicle and tubing removed and has had biopsies, ultrasounds, a CAT scan, countless blood tests and two rounds of chemotherapy.

A small “fluff” has also been found on the youngster's lung and Jack's parents are currently awaiting results to see if this disappears and they have been told by the doctors that they don't believe it is cancer.

Jack's mum Joe added: “There was so much information on that day. We both came out saying what has just been said.

“I can't even begin to describe how we felt. I thought I had felt heartache before but that nearly killed me. It was a lot to take in but now we know a lot more about it.”

His parents have now been told that providing the treatment goes well, the nine-year-old has a 95 per cent survival rate.

Following the heartbreaking news, the family have thrown themselves into a fundraising campaign which has raised almost £2,000 since January 30 for the Piam Brown children's ward to provide new toys, equipment and to fund day trips for children at the ward.

Family members are holding fundraising events on Friday and Sunday which will see family and friends shaving their head or having their hair dyed lilac.

To donate to the family's appeal, visit justgiving.com/Joanne-Bristow/2.