Ewan Jeanes, 18, from Greenock, Inverclyde, died after a two-year battle with testicular cancer – his mum is urging young men to check themselves
The mum of a teenage boy who died from testicular cancer has urged youngsters: “Don’t be embarrassed, get help.”
Ewan Jeanes, 18, from Greenock, Inverclyde, tragically passed away on February 6 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was just 16 years old when he discovered a lump. Following surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Ewan believed he had beaten testicular cancer in March 2024.
But tragedy struck again when he was later diagnosed with germ cell cancer, a rare and aggressive form linked to testicular cancer. He died at home surrounded by his family last week after spending the last month in hospice care, the Daily Record reports.
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His mother, Samantha Jeanes, has urged young men to check themselves regularly and seek medical help if something feels wrong. She said: “I am glad my boys could always talk to me without feeling embarrassed. It is important to check your testicles daily and tell someone if you feel the slightest thing is different.
“If something has changed in shape or size, or you find a lump, speak to someone you trust who can support you to get medical help. Talk to your friends, and your family.”
Ewan first discovered the lump in the bath and visited his GP, who ran a number of tests before giving him the shocking news in February 2024.
Close friend Jamie-Leigh Allan told the Record: “He told his mum he found a lump and they decided he should get it checked. His GP ran lots of tests before they found out he had testicular cancer. He had surgery to remove the lump and then rounds of chemotherapy. It seemed like the treatment had worked and by the beginning of March we believed he had beaten cancer.”
However, Ewan quickly became unwell again and was diagnosed a month later with germ cell cancer. Despite further rounds of chemotherapy – including the highest possible dose – and a stem cell transplant – the disease spread rapidly. “He relapsed each time after chemo,” Jamie-Leigh explained. “The doctors seemed baffled but the treatments just didn’t work. The cancer started spreading everywhere.”
Ewan had been receiving specialist treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre before being moved to a hospice in January this year. Medics had predicted before Christmas that he might survive until Easter. He had also been due to be the best man for his brother at his wedding this year.
Jamie-Leigh added: “A few days before he passed Ewan said he just wanted to go home. I think he knew he didn’t have long left. It was very sudden. He looked well and then suddenly his body began shutting down. He died at home surrounded by his family. It’s just heartbreaking that he’s gone and never got the chance to experience life.”
Ewan had been studying social care and criminology at college but was unable to complete his course due to his illness. “Ewan was positive and full of life,” Jamie-Leigh said. “He was always cracking jokes, still making plans and he never let it get him down, even when he was in pain. It’s a testament to who he was. He would say, ‘I can beat cancer 10 times but it only has to beat me once, I’m not scared to die'”.
A GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs has already raised more than £3,000.
